# NTSB ERA11CA309: Beech A23, N3548R, Greene, NY, May 21, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 21, 2011, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Greene, NY - Coordinates: 42.304164, -75.786941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3042&lon=-75.7869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Albany FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79186/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79186 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA309 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue a visual approach with low visibility and in heavy rain and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: rain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035035/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035035/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech A23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while attempting to land in heavy rain and with low visibility, the airplane collided with trees to the right side of the runway before descending and impacting the runway. The collision damaged the left wing, collapsed the landing gear, and substantially damaged the engine firewall. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. Although the nearest weather observation facility reported no precipitation and 10-mile visibility, it was located 28 miles from the accident location. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that while attempting to land in heavy rain and low visibility, the airplane collided with trees to the right side of the runway before descending and impacting the runway. The collision damaged the left wing, collapsed the landing gear, and substantially damaged the engine firewall. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the airplane's first impact with the ground was 68 feet from the tree impact. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3548R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3548R-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N M-715, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A23 - Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-715 - Airframe hours: 3157 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-346 SERIES 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gregory Arthur A - Registered owner: Gregory Arthur A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2011, 1 hours before - Departed: 4N7, Greene, NY - Destination: 4N7, Greene, NY - Airport: 4N7, Greene Airport, runway 07, 2,665 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 88; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 3,698 total, 800 in this make and model, 3,573 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: BGM, 25 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 20110521010129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110521010129A), May 21, 2011: Beech A23, Greene, NY, Substantial damage. Investigated the accident of N3548R, a Beech A23 musketeer near the approach end of runway 07 at Greene Airport (4N7) Greene, new york. The [privacy data… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79186. 263 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 236 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350862&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies; FAA Inspectors Statement. (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies;%20FAA%20Inspectors%20Statement.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.