Cessna 182 accident near Stow, Massachusetts, July 23, 2023
On July 23, 2023 at about 5:05 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 182, registered N7ET, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (aborted after touchdown) near Stow, Massachusetts (Minute Man Air Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the landing, which resulted in a collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2023 · about 5:05 pm local time
- Place
- Stow, Massachusetts · Minute Man Air Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 J, built 1965 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N7ET · no longer on the register · serial 18256796
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane approached fast and bounced twice on the 3,110-ft-long runway. After the second bounce, he attempted to abort the landing, but trees at the end of the runway were already too close to clear. He turned right to avoid the trees, but then turned left to avoid a house, and collided with the trees. The airplane was substantially damaged during the accident and all three occupants of the airplane were seriously injured. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, nor did the pilot report any.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (aborted after touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 326 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 19, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,555 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 14, 2023; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LKP Lake Placid NY at 3:42 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 3,110 ft by 48 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 12:51 pm from BED, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBED 231651Z 10SM CLR 26/14 A2993
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on September 8, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Excerpts from POH | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memoranda for the Record | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.