# NTSB NYC82FNC06: Cessna 172, N21869, Hampstead, NH, April 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1982, 16:12 local (21:12 UTC)
- Place: Hampstead, NH
- Location: 42.8745° N, 71.1812° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hampstead, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8745&lon=-71.1812&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FNC06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNC06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - seat belt - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PLANE CIRCLING AT LOW ALTITUDE BEFORE IT CRASHED. A FRIEND OF THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THEPILOT WAVED, GUNNED HIS ENGINE A COUPLE OF TIMES AND WAGGLED HIS TAIL. WITNESSES STATED THAT AFTER MAKING SEVERAL CIRCLES AT AN ALTITUDE OF 100 TO 200 FT, THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY PITCHED DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE PILOT WAS EJECTED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES WHEN HE STRUCK A TREE. HIS SEAT BELT WAS FOUND UNLATCHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21869](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21869-1984-08-11), registration cancelled 1984-08-11, S/N 17264037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1016
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aldrich Sawyer
- Registered owner: Aldrich Sawyer
- Departed: HAVERHILL, MA
- Destination: HAVERHILL, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 850 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 113 °F

## 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 19820402007759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820402007759A), Apr 2, 1982: Cessna 172M, Hampstead, NH, Destroyed. Stalled flying low over friends home. Struck trees and ground. Was ejected from aircraft. Seat belt unfastened.

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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