# NTSB BFO92LA123: Piper PA-28-180, N3751R, Windham, CT, September 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1992, 00:30 local (04:30 UTC)
- Place: Windham, CT
- Location: 41.6998° N, 72.1570° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Windham, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6998&lon=-72.1570&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA123

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR OPERATION.  CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S INSTRUMENT FLIGHT INEXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON HIS SECOND TRY AT EXECUTING THE LOCALIZER 27 APPROACH AT WINDHAM AIRPORT (ELEVATION; 247 FEET).  HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS TOO HIGH ON THE FIRST TRY, SO HE DID A MISSED APPROACH.  THE PILOT STATED THAT ON HIS SECOND TRY HE CROSSED THE FINAL APPROACH FIX AT THE PUBLISHED ALTITUDE AND THEN DESCENDED TO THE MINIMINUM DESCENT ALTITUDE: 1020 FEET. AT 1100 FEET, HE ASKED THE PASSENGER TO LOOK FOR GROUND LIGHTS.  SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE AIRPLANE CRASHED WHEN IT STRUCK TREES.  THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ON THE LOCALIZER COURSE INBOUND, 3.8 DME MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE, INCLUDING THE ALTIMETER, DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.  THE PILOT HAD 29 HOURS OF NIGHT FLIGHT TIME AND 3 HOURS OF ACTUAL INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME.  HE OBTAINED AN INSTRUMENT RATING JUST OVER A MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3751R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3751R-1998-02-26), registration cancelled 1998-02-26, S/N 285811 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5811
- Airframe hours: 4150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Windham Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Windham Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1992
- Departed: BID, BLOCK ISLAND, RI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 197 total, 93 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDL, 26 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 19920905035429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920905035429A), Sep 5, 1992: Piper PA28180, Willimantic, CT, Destroyed. Struck trees on night localizer approach. Descended below mda. Had only three hours of actual IFR time.

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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