# NTSB NYC85LA242: Cessna 172, N738SA, Ware, MA, September 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1985, 21:30 local (Sep 18, 1985, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Ware, MA
- Location: 42.2535° N, 72.2454° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ware, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2535&lon=-72.2454&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA242

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper altitude - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT AND CFI WERE PRACTICING FULL STOP NIGHT LANDINGS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WHILE ON FINAL APCH FOR THEFOURTH LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES 1.7 NM SHORT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738SA-2012-10-17), registration cancelled 2012-10-17, S/N 17270191, 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: 17270191
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Roberts Aviation
- Registered owner: Wallace Matukaitis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1985, 50 hours before
- Departed: PMX, PALMER, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 729 total, 145 in this make and model, 552 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- 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 19850917076209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850917076209A), Sep 17, 1985: Cessna 172, Ware, MA, Destroyed. Struck trees after losing altitude at night during turn to final approach.

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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