# NTSB NYC84LA036: Cessna 172, N734YA, Ft. Plain, NY, November 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1983, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Plain, NY
- Coordinates: 42.929267, -74.619476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9293&lon=-74.6195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - utility pole (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED BEDFORD, MA AT ABOUT 1300. UPON ARRIVING IN THE AREA OF THE DESTINATION ARPT, THE PLT HAD DIFFICULTY INLOCATING THE ARPT. AFTER SEEING WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A WIND SOCK, HE LANDED IN A FARMER'S FIELD. HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL FIELD, BUT THE ARPT WAS NOW 2 MI SOUTH. THE PLT VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS & VERIFIED THAT EACH WAS 1/4 FULL. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT WAS AGAIN UNABLE TO FIND THE ARPT. HE FLEW AROUND THE AREA FOR ANOTHER 45 MIN UNTIL THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A PLOWED FIELD & THE NOSE COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734YA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734YA), registered now, S/N 17269210, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-69210
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mitchell Michael
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: BED, BEDFORD, MA
- Airport: NY20, Nellis Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 177 total, 167 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Visibility: 5 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 19831122058389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831122058389A), Nov 22, 1983: Cessna 172N, Ft Plain, NY, Substantial damage. Landed at wrong airport. Took off but unable to find destination airport. Out of fuel. Hit rocks on forced 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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