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NTSB Report
September 12, 1987 · Piper PA-28-236 · N2186B
Gaylordsville, CT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Gaylordsville, CT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-236
Tail Number
N2186B
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87FA250
THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28-236 WAS CRUISING AT 6000 FT AT NIGHT WHEN HE REPORTED A FAILURE OF HIS VACUUM PUMP FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF HIS ATTITUDE INDICATOR AND DIRECTIONAL GYRO. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A 360 DEGREE TURN ON THE RADAR SCOPE. THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ISSUED 'NO GYRO' RADAR VECTORS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLEARED FROM 6000 FT TO 5000 FT IN PREPARATION FOR AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE DESCENT CLEARANCE AND THEN THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE. IT WAS FOUND SCATTERED OVER 1/2 MILE WITH BOTH HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOTS LOG BOOK INDICATED HE MET THE RECENCY OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED BY 14 CFR 61.57. FOG WAS REPORTED IN THE AREA AND THE CLOSEST RECORDED WEATHER INDICATED A 900 FT CEILING WITH FOG.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28-236 WAS CRUISING AT 6000 FT AT NIGHT WHEN HE REPORTED A FAILURE OF HIS VACUUM PUMP FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF HIS ATTITUDE INDICATOR AND DIRECTIONAL GYRO. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A 360 DEGREE TURN ON THE RADAR SCOPE. THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ISSUED 'NO GYRO' RADAR VECTORS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLEARED FROM 6000 FT TO 5000 FT IN PREPARATION FOR AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE DESCENT CLEARANCE AND THEN THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE. IT WAS FOUND SCATTERED OVER 1/2 MILE WITH BOTH HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOTS LOG BOOK INDICATED HE MET THE RECENCY OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED BY 14 CFR 61.57. FOG WAS REPORTED IN THE AREA AND THE CLOSEST RECORDED WEATHER INDICATED A 900 FT CEILING WITH FOG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-236
Tail NumberN2186B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J3A5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind120° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC