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February 20, 1988 · Piper PA-34-200T · N2469M
Stratford, CT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Stratford, CT
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N2469M
Operator
U S Express
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88FA093
THE PILOT AND PILOT-RATED PAX RECEIVED VECTORS FOR MULTIPLE ILS APPROACHES IN DETERIORATING CONDITIONS. ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT THE AIRCRAFT PASSED OVER WITNESSES BUT WAS OFF COURSE AND NOT IN A POSITION TO LAND. THE SECOND ATTEMPT WAS ABORTED BEFORE REACHING THE AIRPORT. DURING THE THIRD ATTEMPT RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED AND THE PILOT WAS GIVEN A FREQUENCY CHANGE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO WATER ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. POST-ACCIDENT EXAM DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. BOTH ENGINES WERE TEST-RUN TO FULL POWER. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT NEITHER PILOT WAS FAR PART 135 QUALIFIED FOR THIS FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED WITH ENGINES OVER TBO, TRANSPONDER TEST DUE, AND THE 100 HR INSPECTION OVERDUE. THE PILOTS DID NOT REPORT ANY DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT AND PILOT-RATED PAX RECEIVED VECTORS FOR MULTIPLE ILS APPROACHES IN DETERIORATING CONDITIONS. ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT THE AIRCRAFT PASSED OVER WITNESSES BUT WAS OFF COURSE AND NOT IN A POSITION TO LAND. THE SECOND ATTEMPT WAS ABORTED BEFORE REACHING THE AIRPORT. DURING THE THIRD ATTEMPT RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED AND THE PILOT WAS GIVEN A FREQUENCY CHANGE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO WATER ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. POST-ACCIDENT EXAM DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. BOTH ENGINES WERE TEST-RUN TO FULL POWER. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT NEITHER PILOT WAS FAR PART 135 QUALIFIED FOR THIS FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED WITH ENGINES OVER TBO, TRANSPONDER TEST DUE, AND THE 100 HR INSPECTION OVERDUE. THE PILOTS DID NOT REPORT ANY DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:22 EST
Nearest AirportIgor I. Sikorsky Memorial (1nm WSW)
Runway6
Runway Length4677 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN2469M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorU S Express
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-E · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind90° @ 21 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:54
Weather SourceWFAC