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NTSB Report

November 12, 1995 · Mcdonnell Douglas MD-83 · N566AA

East Granby, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 12, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 77 uninjured
Location
East Granby, CT
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas MD-83
Tail Number
N566AA
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA96MA008

The airplane impacted trees, then an ILS antenna as it landed short of the runway on grass, even terrain during a night VOR approach in strong, gusty wind conditions. At the time of the accident, the indicated altitude (height above airport elevation) that the airplane's QFE altimeter was indicating was about 76 feet too high (based on the altimeter setting received at 0030), resulting in the airplane being 76 feet lower than indicated on the primary altimeters. Because the flightcrew knew that the atmospheric pressure was falling rapidly, they should have requested a current altimeter setting from the approach controller when was not given, as required, upon initial radio contact. Although the flightcrew did not use the most current QNH setting they had available (29.40 inches of Hg.) in the standby altimeter, this error did not affect the accident sequence of events because the flightcrew had the correct, but outdated, QFE setting (29.23 inches Hg.) in the altimeters they were using when the accident occurred. If the first officer had monitored the approach on instruments until reaching minimum descent altitude (MDA) and delayed his search for the airport until after reaching the MDA, he would have been better able to notice and immediately call the captain's attention to the altitude deviation below the MDA.

NTSB Probable Cause

the flightcrew's failure to maintain the required minimum descent altitude until the required visual references identifiable with the runway were in sight. Contributing factors were the failure of the BDL approach controller to furnish the flightcrew with a current altimeter setting, and the flightcrew's failure to ask for a more current setting. (NTSB Report AAR-96/05 adopted 11/13/96)

Full Narrative

On November 12, 1995, at 0057 est, an American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-80, registered in the US as N566AA, struck trees on a ridge line 2.65 miles from the end of runway 15 at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT. The airplane then landed safely at the airport. One of the 72 passengers received a minor injury during the emergency evacuation. None of the 5 crewmembers were injured. The flight was operating under CFR Part 121 in instrument meteorological conditions. It originated at O'Hare International Airport about two hours before the accident. See NTSB/AAR-96/05 for details.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:55 EST
Nearest AirportBradley International (3nm NW)
Runway15
Runway Length6846 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas MD-83
Tail NumberN566AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-219 · Turbofan · 21000

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 77 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured77
Total78
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class
Crew 2Age 38 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 25 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 2800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data