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December 31, 1987 · Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30 · N2243J

Burlington, VT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 1987
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (4 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Burlington, VT
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N2243J
Operator
Pual H Spiller
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88FA062

DRG FLT FM WILMINGTON, DE TO RUTLAND, VT, THE PLT DIVERTED TO BINGHAMTON AFTER RECG THE ALBANY WX & LEARNING RUTLAND WX WAS NOT AVAILABLE. AFTER LNDG, HE TOLD FSS PSNL HE PHONED RUTLAND & WAS TOLD THE WX WAS GOOD. HE GOT 2 WX BRIEFINGS BFR CONTG THE FLT & WAS ADZD OF FLT PRECAUTIONS FOR ICING & TURBC, AS WELL AS PIREPS CONCERNING ICING. HE FILED A FLT PLAN &CONTD ON TO RUTLAND. WHILE APCHG RUTLAND AT 6000', HE RPRTD MOD ICING. HE REQD CLNC TO CLB & WAS CLRD TO 8000', BUT HAD DIFFICULTY CLBG. HE REQD & RECD VECTORS TO BURLINGTON, WHICH HAD 3500' OVC & GOOD VIS. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINT MIN SAFE ALT OF 5500' & DECLARED AN EMERG. AFTER DSCNDG BLO CLDS, HE SAID ICE WAS COMING OFF THE ACFT. HE RPRTD THE RWY IN SIGHT & WAS CLRD TO LND. WITNESSES SAID THAT ON FINAL APCH, THE ACFT LOST 150 TO 200 FT, THEN REGAINED SOME ALT SVRL TIMES. DRG 3RD LOSS OF ALT, IT HIT THE GND IN A FLAT ATTITUDE & SLID APRX 300' ONTO THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR FLT IN KNOWN ICING CONDS. PITOT HEAT SW FND IN OFF PSN. DC-9 CREW RPRTD 15 KT LOSS OF SPEED ON FINAL APCH.

Full Narrative

DRG FLT FM WILMINGTON, DE TO RUTLAND, VT, THE PLT DIVERTED TO BINGHAMTON AFTER RECG THE ALBANY WX & LEARNING RUTLAND WX WAS NOT AVAILABLE. AFTER LNDG, HE TOLD FSS PSNL HE PHONED RUTLAND & WAS TOLD THE WX WAS GOOD. HE GOT 2 WX BRIEFINGS BFR CONTG THE FLT & WAS ADZD OF FLT PRECAUTIONS FOR ICING & TURBC, AS WELL AS PIREPS CONCERNING ICING. HE FILED A FLT PLAN &CONTD ON TO RUTLAND. WHILE APCHG RUTLAND AT 6000', HE RPRTD MOD ICING. HE REQD CLNC TO CLB & WAS CLRD TO 8000', BUT HAD DIFFICULTY CLBG. HE REQD & RECD VECTORS TO BURLINGTON, WHICH HAD 3500' OVC & GOOD VIS. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINT MIN SAFE ALT OF 5500' & DECLARED AN EMERG. AFTER DSCNDG BLO CLDS, HE SAID ICE WAS COMING OFF THE ACFT. HE RPRTD THE RWY IN SIGHT & WAS CLRD TO LND. WITNESSES SAID THAT ON FINAL APCH, THE ACFT LOST 150 TO 200 FT, THEN REGAINED SOME ALT SVRL TIMES. DRG 3RD LOSS OF ALT, IT HIT THE GND IN A FLAT ATTITUDE & SLID APRX 300' ONTO THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR FLT IN KNOWN ICING CONDS. PITOT HEAT SW FND IN OFF PSN. DC-9 CREW RPRTD 15 KT LOSS OF SPEED ON FINAL APCH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:42 EST
Nearest AirportBurlington Intl (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length7807 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN2243J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPual H Spiller
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (4 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal4
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind170° @ 22 kt, gusting 32 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data