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March 14, 1984 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N5022S

Groton, CT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Groton, CT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N5022S
Operator
Ralph S Woollett
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FA108

THE PLT RECEIVED 2 WX BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTING & BOTH CALLED FOR LOW CEILINGS. DURING ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION, THE PLT REQUESTED & WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH TO RWY 5. WHILE ON THE APCH, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SMALL TREE & CRASHED. THE WRECKAGE CAME TO REST AT ABOUT 690 FT SOUTH OF THE THRESHOLD OF RWY 5 (RIGHT OF THE EXTENDED RWY CENTER- LINE). AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE 0145 EST WX WAS: SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, 900 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1-1/4 MI WITH RAIN & FOG, WIND 160 DEG AT 25 GUSTING 40 KTS. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, THE WX REMAINED WINDY & RAINY UNTIL 0315 EST.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RECEIVED 2 WX BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTING & BOTH CALLED FOR LOW CEILINGS. DURING ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION, THE PLT REQUESTED & WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH TO RWY 5. WHILE ON THE APCH, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SMALL TREE & CRASHED. THE WRECKAGE CAME TO REST AT ABOUT 690 FT SOUTH OF THE THRESHOLD OF RWY 5 (RIGHT OF THE EXTENDED RWY CENTER- LINE). AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE 0145 EST WX WAS: SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, 900 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1-1/4 MI WITH RAIN & FOG, WIND 160 DEG AT 25 GUSTING 40 KTS. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, THE WX REMAINED WINDY & RAINY UNTIL 0315 EST.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:00 EST
Nearest AirportCroton New London (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN5022S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRalph S Woollett
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind160° @ 25 kt, gusting 40 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data