Cessna 172M accident near Worcester, Massachusetts, May 29, 2004
On May 29, 2004 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N73704, was substantially damaged in an accident near Worcester, Massachusetts (Worcester Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the gusting wind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2004 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Worcester, Massachusetts · Worcester Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N73704 · no longer on the register · serial 17267617
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while landing on runway 29, he crossed the threshold at an airspeed of 75 knots, to compensate for wind gusts. At an altitude about 25-30 feet above the ground, he felt all lift dissipate, and the airplane dropped to the pavement. The airplane then bounced on the runway, and the pilot heard the stall warning horn. He then applied full power and initiated a go-around. At the same time, the left wing dropped and the airplane impacted the ground.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 170 hours in all; 46 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 99 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 24, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,285 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 21, 2004; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ORH Worcester MA
- Destination: ORH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 7,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 21 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from ORH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.