Cessna 172G accident near Stow, Massachusetts, November 23, 2002
On November 23, 2002 at about 5:40 pm local time, a Cessna 172G, registered N1152F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Stow, Massachusetts (Minute Man Air Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance. A factor in this accident was gusty wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 23, 2002 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Stow, Massachusetts · Minute Man Air Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172G · all 172Gs on the register
- Registration
- N1152F · no longer on the register · serial 17254747
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported the airplane was on final approach to runway 30, a 1,600 foot-long, gravel runway, when it experienced a sudden downdraft. The airplane struck trees and came to rest short of the runway threshold. The pilot stated he did not experience any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Winds reported at an airport about 12 miles east of the accident site were from 300 degrees at 19 knots, with 31 knot gusts.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 5,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 23, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,129 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 6, 2002; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D-6-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FIT Fitchburg MA at 5:09 pm
- Destination: 6B6 Stow MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 1,600 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 19 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.45 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from BED, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.