20240908013409A

On 9/09/24 at about 12:44 am local time the FAA regional operations center received notification that a Piper PA28 was found in the area of Basin Harbor Airport (B06) with 4 fatalities. The aircraft had previously departed windham airport (kijd) at about 8:43 am local time. No flight plan was filed for the flight. Available data indicate the flight proceeded direct to Basin Harbor Airport and was last seen by ATC at about 10:17 am local time at about 80 ft AGL descending in to land at Basin Harbor. The aircraft reportedly departed the Basin Harbor Airport at about 12:15 pm local time according to witnesses.

The aircraft was located about 250 feet east of the grass runway at Basin Harbor Airport. The location was due east from a point about 2,800 feet south from the most northern point of the grass runway. The runway runs north south and is about 3,200 feet long. The aircraft came to rest oriented west. The right wing, tailboom, fuselage, and engine compartment were still connected. The left wing was detached and found inverted several feet south of the engine with the root facing the engine. The left wing navigation light and outboard tip was located about 30 feet west of the main repackage. Engine and propeller exhibited impact damage and were still partially connected to the fuselage. The propeller had one blade significantly bent aft while the other blade had only a minor nick and a slight bend.

The instrument panel was partially intact. The tach indicated 2157.9 and the hobbs 27.7. The tachometer needle was partially bent as was the gauge but indicated approximately 2,400 RPM. The altimeter was set to 29.92 inches, the VSI indicated 450 fpm, the attitude indicator indicated a 90 degree left bank and turn coordinator was at a full left deflection. The cockpit and cabin area was largely intact. The right front seat had been cut and removed. The remaining seats were in place and secure although the left front seat had separated from the mounts on the left side. Seat belts had been cut but were still attached to their mounts. The landing gear override was engaged and the fuel selector indicated the left wing tank. Both the left and right control yokes were broken adjacent to the grips.

The left wing had significant impact damage to the leading edge. Aeilerons were able to be moved by hand. The landing gear appeared completely extended and had almost no damage. The left wing flaps were in a retracted position. The left wing fuel tank was ruptured and no fuel could be seen inside. The right wing had only minor dents in the leading edge and was completely intact. The right landing gear was extended and had very little damage. The right aileron could be moved freely with continuity verified into the cabin.

The tail boom was connected to the fuselage and exhibited a compression dent along the top of the tail boom just aft of the cabin. The vertical fin and horizontal stabilizer were not damaged, nor were the control surfaces for the rudder, or elevator.

The nearest weather report available was from burlington international airport located about 18.5 miles northeast of Basin Harbor Airport. The automated observation taken at 1154 hours local time indicated wind from 230 at 11 gusting to 19 knots, 10 miles visibility, broken ceiling at 6,000 feet, temperature of 16 degrees celsius and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches.

The person in the right front was a rated pilot and CFI. The person in the left front did not possess any certificates or ratings. The rated pilot and cfi’s last medical certificate expired on 8/31/2024. According to a logbook recovered, the CFI had previously provided instruction to the front left seat occupant, a 15 year old girl.