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NTSB Report
March 31, 1986 · Piper PA-24-180 · N6599P
Somers, CT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1986
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
Somers, CT
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-180
Tail Number
N6599P
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC86FA096
THE ACFT, ON A NIGHT FLT, WAS SEEN FLYING ABOUT 1 MI WEST OF ELLINGTON ARPT. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FLYING NORTH AND JUST ABOVE THE 800 FT HIGH TERRAIN. THE ACFT WAS IN A GRADUAL DESCENT AND IT APPEARED THAT IT WOULD NOT CLEAR TERRAIN AHEAD. AFTERWARDS THE WITNESS SAW A GLOW EMITTING AND SMOKE RISING FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST AT AN ELEVATION OF 800 FT AND 2.2 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 FT ANDORIENTED ON A 335 DEGS MAG HDG. THE ARPT ELEV IS 235 FT MSL AND THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IS 1250 FT MSL. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PILOT INCAPACITATION OR IMPAIRMENT.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT, ON A NIGHT FLT, WAS SEEN FLYING ABOUT 1 MI WEST OF ELLINGTON ARPT. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FLYING NORTH AND JUST ABOVE THE 800 FT HIGH TERRAIN. THE ACFT WAS IN A GRADUAL DESCENT AND IT APPEARED THAT IT WOULD NOT CLEAR TERRAIN AHEAD. AFTERWARDS THE WITNESS SAW A GLOW EMITTING AND SMOKE RISING FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST AT AN ELEVATION OF 800 FT AND 2.2 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 FT ANDORIENTED ON A 335 DEGS MAG HDG. THE ARPT ELEV IS 235 FT MSL AND THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IS 1250 FT MSL. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PILOT INCAPACITATION OR IMPAIRMENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 EST
Nearest AirportEllington (2nm NE)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-180
Tail NumberN6599P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A10 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:30
Weather SourcePILO