# NTSB NYC87FA251: Cessna 152, N25223, Boxborough, MA, September 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1987, 22:20 local (Sep 12, 1987, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Boxborough, MA
- Location: 42.4918° N, 71.5273° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boxboro, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4918&lon=-71.5273&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA251

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE IFR FLIGHT FROM AUBURN-LEWISTON, MAINE TO THE MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE VORTAC FACILITY WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT. BOSTON CENTER CLEARED THE FLIGHT FOR THE VOR/DME INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE TO RUNWAY 21 AT THE UNCONTROLLED STOW/MINUTE MAN AIRPORT, STOW, MASSACHUSETTS. WITNESSES RESIDING BETWEEN EGORE, THE FINAL APPROACH FIX, AND THE AIRPORT, HEARD THE ENGINE REV UP TO A HIGH POWER SETTING MOMENTS BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED THROUGH TREES AND POWERLINES. THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED INTO AN ASPHALT ROADWAY AND CAME TO REST IN A BALL OF FIRE AT A POINT ABOUT 2.75 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25223](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25223-1993-09-07), registration cancelled 1993-09-07, S/N 15280539 (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: 15280539
- Airframe hours: 679
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eliott Lash
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1987, 42 hours before
- Departed: LEW, LEWISTON, ME
- Destination: 6B6, STOW, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 6B6, Minute Man, runway 21, 2,770 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 45 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BED, 10 nm away

## 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 19870911081999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870911081999A), Sep 11, 1987: Cessna 152, Boxborough, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Too low on approach at night in IMC. Struck trees and a powerline. Crashed and burned. Low experience level.

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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