# NTSB NYC84LA147: Cessna 152, N45945, Fitchburg, MA, March 15, 1984 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 1984, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Fitchburg, MA - Location: 42.6019° N, 71.8157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fitchburg, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6019&lon=-71.8157&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 35541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35541/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA147 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - radio communications - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) 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. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) 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 1 - Registration: [N45945](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45945), registered now, S/N 15282954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15282954 - Airframe hours: 1275 - Engines: 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 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N2773U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2773U-2008-09-16), registration cancelled 2008-09-16, S/N 17250373, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D - Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17250333 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N45945; age 63; 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 - Pilot, aircraft N2773U; age 17; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19840315062881A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840315062881A), Mar 15, 1984: Cessna 152, Fitchburg, MA. Overtook and bumped N2733U that was also on final but slightly lower. Did not notice collision. Other went around. ## Other investigations on N45945 (1) 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 SEA06CA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA186), Sep 23, 2006: Cessna 152 (N45945), Pembroke Pine, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor was the runway sign. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.