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NTSB Report
April 4, 1983 · Cessna 172H · N2574L
Liberty Corner, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Liberty Corner, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Tail Number
N2574L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC83FA091
INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT AND PASSENGER ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT AT APPROXIMATELY 1820 EST, REQUESTED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE AND WHEN THAT CLEARANCE COULD NOT BE APPROVED REQUESTED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. ATTEMPTS TO ACTIVATE THE IFR FLIGHT PLAN WERE UNSUCCESSUFUL DUE TO COMMUNICATION LINE PROBLEMS. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED NOT TO FILE THE FLIGHT PLAN AND STATED THAT BASED ON FORECASTS OF IMPROVING CONDITIONS TO THE WEST AND VISIBILITIES OF THREE TO FIVE MILES FROMTHE TOWER SHE PLANNED TO PROCEED VFR FOLLOWING THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TO THE SOUTH AND THEN TO THE WEST. THE PLT STATED SHE FLEW BELOW THE CLOUD BASES, WHICH SHE ESTIMATED WERE AT 800 TO 900 FEET. PRIOR TO REACHING INTERSTATE 22 AND WHILE IN STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT THE ACFT UNEXPECTEDLY IMPACTED TREES.
Full Narrative
INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT AND PASSENGER ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT AT APPROXIMATELY 1820 EST, REQUESTED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE AND WHEN THAT CLEARANCE COULD NOT BE APPROVED REQUESTED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. ATTEMPTS TO ACTIVATE THE IFR FLIGHT PLAN WERE UNSUCCESSUFUL DUE TO COMMUNICATION LINE PROBLEMS. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED NOT TO FILE THE FLIGHT PLAN AND STATED THAT BASED ON FORECASTS OF IMPROVING CONDITIONS TO THE WEST AND VISIBILITIES OF THREE TO FIVE MILES FROMTHE TOWER SHE PLANNED TO PROCEED VFR FOLLOWING THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TO THE SOUTH AND THEN TO THE WEST. THE PLT STATED SHE FLEW BELOW THE CLOUD BASES, WHICH SHE ESTIMATED WERE AT 800 TO 900 FEET. PRIOR TO REACHING INTERSTATE 22 AND WHILE IN STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT THE ACFT UNEXPECTEDLY IMPACTED TREES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:20 EST
Nearest AirportEssex Co. (16nm WSW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN2574L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300D6 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind80° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:46
Weather SourceWFAC