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Casualties unknown

Pilot Lands in Field After Fuel Exhaustion Following Difficulty Locating Airport (N734YA)

Ft. Plain, NY, US

On November 22, 1983, a Cessna 172 (registration N734YA) was involved in an aviation accident near Ft. Plain, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot departing Bedford, MA, experienced difficulty finding the destination airport, landed in a farmer's field, then after a fuel check, flew for another 45 minutes until the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion, resulting in a landing in a plowed field with nose gear collapse.

Departure and Difficulty Locating Airport

The flight departed Bedford, Massachusetts, at approximately 1300 hours. Upon arriving in the area of the destination airport, the pilot had difficulty locating the airport. After seeing what he thought was a windsock, he landed in a farmer's field.

Information About Airport Location

The pilot was informed that the field was the original airport site, but the current airport was now located two miles south. The pilot then visually checked the fuel tanks and verified that each tank was one-quarter full.

Subsequent Flight and Fuel Exhaustion

After taking off from the field, the pilot was again unable to find the airport. He flew around the area for another 45 minutes until the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft touched down in a plowed field, during which the nose gear collapsed.

Probable cause

Fuel exhaustion
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Nov 1983 Cessna 172 accident near Ft. Plain, NY?

A pilot departing Bedford, MA, experienced difficulty finding the destination airport, landed in a farmer's field, then after a fuel check, flew for another 45 minutes until the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion, resulting in a landing in a plowed field with nose gear collapse.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Nov 1983 involved a Cessna 172, registration N734YA, at Ft. Plain, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Fuel exhaustion

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X45194. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.