# NTSB BFO92FA151: Cessna R182, N102SR, Edgartown, MA, September 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1992, 20:16 local (Sep 19, 1992, 00:16 UTC)
- Place: Edgartown, MA
- Location: 41.4037° N, 70.6002° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from MARTHA'S VINEYARD (MVY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4037&lon=-70.6002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA151

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS'S LACK OF REGARD FOR THE PUBLISHED DECISION HEIGHT OF THE APPROACH AND HIS DECISION NOT TO EXECUTE A MISSED APPROACH.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT INCLUDE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH AND DESCENT RATE DURING THE APPROACH, THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION TO CONTINUE THE APPROACH, WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH WERE BELOW APPROACH MINIMUMS, DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS, AND SELF INDUCED PRESSURE BY THE PILOT TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - decision height - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR AN INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM APPROACH BY THE CONTROL TOWER.  THE REPORTED WEATHER CONDITIONS INCLUDED A INDEFINITE CEILING OF 100 FEET AND ONE HALF MILE VISIBILITY WITH FOG.  DURING THE APPROACH, THE AIRSPEED, GLIDEPATH, RATE OF DESCENT, AND POSITION RELATIVE TO THE GLIDESLOPE AND LOCALIZER WERE NOT STABILIZED.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PUBLISHED DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE APPROACH IS 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO AN INSPECTOR WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS AERONAUTICS COMMISSION, THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS PAID TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FLY THE TWO PASSENGERS, AND HE HAD BEEN PAID TO FLY THE SAME ROUTE AT LEAST TEN TIMES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N102SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102SR-1993-02-10), registration cancelled 1993-02-10, S/N R18200731 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R182
- Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18200731
- Airframe hours: 2560
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George R. Gladu
- Registered owner: George R. Gladu
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1992
- Departed: HVN, NEW HAVEN, CT
- Destination: MVY, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MVY, Marthas Vineyard, runway 24

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MVY, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920919037709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920919037709A), Sep 19, 1992: Cessna TR182, Marthas Vineyar, MA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Erratic ILS approach. Went below dh. Struck trees and burned. Unauthorized part 135 flight. Weather blow minima.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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