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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 3, 1996 · Piper PA-22-150 · N2946P

Chester, NH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1996
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Chester, NH
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N2946P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC96LA097

The airplane collided with bushes short of the runway and nosed over during the landing. The pilot did not recall the accident. The passenger reported that during the final approach, he was observing the surrounding terrain. He then looked forward and observed bushes which the airplane collided with. Also, no attempts were made by the pilot to add power during the approach, and there were no malfunctions with the airplane prior to impact. Examination of the wreckage by a FAA Inspector did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. An undetermined amount of fuel was observed in the airplane and in the carburetor bowl.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude during final approach.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 1996 about 1520 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N2946P, was destroyed when it impacted the ground during final approach to the Heaton Airport, Chester, New Hampshire. The private pilot and pilot rated passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Manchester Airport, Manchester, New Hampshire, about 1500, destined for Chester. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB form, 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, ". . .I remember being down wind. . . .My next recollection is of standing in front of the right wing of the airplane which was on its back in the center of the approach end of the runway." The passenger reported, during a telephone interview, that the pilot asked him along to assist in the radio communications for the class C airspace at Manchester. He further reported the following conditions about the final approach to Chester: He was observing the surrounding terrain, looking for a trench area located along the final approach path. The passenger then looked forward and observed bushes, which they collided with. There was no attempt by the pilot to add power during the approach. Also, that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunctions. Additionally, an undetermined amount of fuel was found in both fuel tanks and fuel was observed in the carburetor bowl. The pilot held a private pilot certificate and had an approximate total flight experience of 2,500 hours, of which 10 hours were in the accident airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 EDT
Nearest AirportHeaton Airport (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length1700 ft
Runway Width130 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN2946P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 4 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data