# NTSB NYC83FA260: Cessna 170B, N2429D, Livermore Falls, ME, October 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1983, 22:35 local (Oct 1, 1983, 02:35 UTC)
- Place: Livermore Falls, ME
- Location: 44.4100° N, 70.1461° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BOWMAN FLD (B10), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4100&lon=-70.1461&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA260

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A GO-AROUND AT NIGHT IN A GROUND FOG. THE PLT HAD CALLED HIS WIFE AND DISCUSSED THE WEATHER. HE DECIDED ON AN ALTERNATE ARPT IF THE WEATHER CREATED PROBLEMS. HE HAD FLOWN INTO BOWMAN FIELD MANY TIMES AT NIGHT AND KNEW THE FIELD WELL. IN THE ARPT GUIDE, IN REMARKS, IT STATES: NO NIGHT OPERATIONS EXCEPT IN AN EMERGENCY. IT ALSO STATES RWY 02: TREE, RWY 20: TREE. THE BEACON LIGHTS ATOP THE HANGER CAME ON AT 2230. AT 2235 AN APPROACHING ACFT WAS HEARD. THE ACFT APPROACHED FROM THE NORTH AND THE POWER WAS HEARD TO INCREASE AS THE ACFT PASSED OVER THE TREES. POWER WAS REDUCED AND THEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN BURST OF POWER FOLLOWED BY THE SOUNDS OF TREE CONTACT BEFORE A CRASH. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT DESCEND INTO THE FOG AND CLIMB BACK OUT BEFORE THE CONTACT WITH TREES. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR OF CLOUDS, GOOD VISIBILITY, WIND CALM, GROUND FOG ABOUT 5 TO 15 FT AGL IN PATCHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2429D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2429D-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 20581, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20581
- Airframe hours: 2031
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George S. Lesko, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: BGR, BANGOR, ME
- Airport: B10, Bowman, runway 20, 2,450 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 449 total, 105 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830930052589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830930052589A), Sep 30, 1983: Cessna 170B, Livermore Falls, ME, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot encountered ground fog during night landing. Aircraft crashed during attempted go around.

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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