NYC84LA147

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 152 · Fitchburg, MA · March 15, 1984

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
March 15, 1984, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
Place
Fitchburg, MA
Injuries
2 uninjured
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N45945Cessna 152N2773UCessna 172D
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19840315062881A
Case key
35541

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Midair collisionApproach - vfr pattern - final approach
Radio communications - improperPilot in commandFactor
Visual lookout - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Midair collisionApproach - vfr pattern - final approach
Visual lookout - inadequatePilot in commandCause

Analysis

The plt of N45945 stated that upon entering downwind for rwy 32 she reported her position on UNICOM, but did not receivea reply. She continued her approach failing to report base and final positions. At aprx 500 ft on final apch she felt the acft buffet and caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her left eye. She continued and landed without incident. The plt of N2773U stated that he called on 122.8 prior to entering the pattern at the arpt. He used the wrong UNICOM freq and did not get a reply. He continued to the arpt and observed the windsock indicating rwy 32 was best. He entered downwind and reported his position on the wrong freq. After turning final he felt a bump in the acft & saw another acft to his upper rt. He broke off his apch and reentered the pattern landing without further incident. It was not determined that the acft collided until April 11, 1984 when tire marks and rt wing damage was found on N2773U duringan inspection. N45945 was not damaged.

The plt of N45945 stated that upon entering downwind for rwy 32 she reported her position on UNICOM but did not receive a reply. She continued her approach failing to report base and final positions. At aprx 500 ft on final apch she felt the aircraft buffet and caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her left eye. She continued and landed without incident. The plt of N2773U stated that he called on 122.8 prior to entering the pattern at the arpt. He used the wrong UNICOM freq and did not get a reply. He continued to the arpt and observed the windsock indicating rwy 32 was best. He entered downwind and reported his position, again on the wrong freq. After turning final he felt a bump in the acft & saw another acft to his upper rt. He broke off his apch and reentered the pattern, landing without incident. It was not determined that the acft had collided until April 11, 1984 when tire marks and rt wing damage was found on N2773U during an inspection. N45945 was not damaged.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N45945
Reported as
Cessna 152
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15282954
Airframe hours
1,275
Engine
Lycoming O-235-I2C, 110 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
No damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Estes, John E.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · February 3, 1984
Departed
MAO7 · Norfolk, MA
Airport
FIT · Fitchburg, runway 32, 4,508 × 150 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Registration
N2773U
Reported as
Cessna 172D
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17250333
Engine
Continental O-300-D, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
Sky Life, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
GFL · Glens Falls, NY
Airport
FIT · Fitchburg, runway 32, 4,508 × 150 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot, aircraft N45945
Age
63
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Flight hours
198 total · 198 in this make and model · 60 as pilot in command · 8 in the last 90 days
Role
Pilot, aircraft N2773U
Age
17
Certificate
Student
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
28 total · 28 in this make and model · 16 as pilot in command · 13 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
15 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.

Other investigations on N45945 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.