Cessna 172 accident near Norfolk, Massachusetts, November 4, 1987
On November 4, 1987 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N53461, was substantially damaged in an accident near Norfolk, Massachusetts (Norfolk airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 4, 1987 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Norfolk, Massachusetts · Norfolk
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N53461 · no longer on the register · serial 17274756
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 172 WAS MAKING HER THIRD TAKEOFF, HAVING MADE TWO PRIOR TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS TO A FULL STOP, WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND WAS OBSERVED TO PORPOISE SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO BREAKING OFF THE NOSE WHEEL IN SOFT DIRT AND FLIPPING OVER. THE ENGINE TEST-RAN SATISFACTORILY AFTER THE ACC. THE PILOT RPTD THAT AFTER THE ENG LOST PWR SHE RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND CARB HEAT. THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE FULL ON POSITION.
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: 120 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 35 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,607 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 30, 1987; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,700 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
Other NTSB records under N53461 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.