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NTSB Report
September 20, 1987 · Cessna 172P · N99151
Fitchburg, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Fitchburg, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N99151
Operator
Richmor Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87LA261
DRG ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS CLRD FOR AN NDB-A APCH TO FITCHBURG MUNI ARPT. THE NDB WAS LOCATED ON THE ARPT & THE ARPT ELEV WAS 350'. THE MIN DSCNT ALT (MDA) WAS 1140' MSL. THE APCH PROCEDURE WAS TO GO OUTBND FM THE NDB ON A 137 DEG BEARING, MAKE A PROCEDURE TURN, THEN TRACK INBND ON A FINAL APCH COURSE OF 317 DEG. THE MISSED APCH PROCEDURE WAS TO MAKE A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TO 2500', DIRECT TO THE NDB, THEN HOLD. THE PLT BEGAN THE APCH & THOUGHT HE HAD PROCEEDED TO THE MISSED APCH POINT OVER THE ARPT WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CRASHED IN THE SIDE OF A TREE COVERED HILL, APRX 2-1/2 MI SOUTHWEST OF THE ARPT, WHILE IN LVL FLT AT APRX 1150' MSL.
Full Narrative
DRG ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS CLRD FOR AN NDB-A APCH TO FITCHBURG MUNI ARPT. THE NDB WAS LOCATED ON THE ARPT & THE ARPT ELEV WAS 350'. THE MIN DSCNT ALT (MDA) WAS 1140' MSL. THE APCH PROCEDURE WAS TO GO OUTBND FM THE NDB ON A 137 DEG BEARING, MAKE A PROCEDURE TURN, THEN TRACK INBND ON A FINAL APCH COURSE OF 317 DEG. THE MISSED APCH PROCEDURE WAS TO MAKE A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TO 2500', DIRECT TO THE NDB, THEN HOLD. THE PLT BEGAN THE APCH & THOUGHT HE HAD PROCEEDED TO THE MISSED APCH POINT OVER THE ARPT WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CRASHED IN THE SIDE OF A TREE COVERED HILL, APRX 2-1/2 MI SOUTHWEST OF THE ARPT, WHILE IN LVL FLT AT APRX 1150' MSL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:17 EDT
Nearest AirportFitchburg Muni (25nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN99151
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRichmor Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind10° @ 9 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 54
Altimeter0
Observation Time01:45
Weather SourcePILO