# NTSB NYC82DA074: Cessna 172, N54576, Morristown, NJ, April 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1982, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Morristown, NJ
- Location: 40.7993° N, 74.4149° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MORRISTOWN MUNI (MMU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7993&lon=-74.4149&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA074

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT PROCEEDED TO THE MORRISTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. HE STATED THAT DURING HIS FIRST TOUCH AND GO, THE RIGHT WING PICKED UP. HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DURING THE GO-AROUND, A WING OF THE AIRCRAFT HIT TREES AND THE PLANE LANDED OFF OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54576](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54576), registered now, S/N 17275003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275003
- Airframe hours: 804
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Teterboro Flight Academy
- Registered owner: Teterboro Flight Academy
- Departed: TETERBORO, NJ
- Destination: MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Airport: MMU, Morristown Municipal, runway 23, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 58 total, 58 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820419010219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820419010219A), Apr 19, 1982: Cessna 172P, Morristown, NJ, Substantial damage. Student pilot with passenger collided with trees during touch and go landings.

## Other investigations on N54576 (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA26LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA073), Dec 20, 2025: Cessna 172P (N54576), Browns Corner, VA, substantial damage, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB NYC01LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA163), Jul 2, 2001: Cessna 172P (N54576), Stevensville, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare and his improper recovery from a bounced landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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