# NTSB NYC05LA040: Piper PA-46-350P, N714KL, Hartford, CT, December 22, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 22, 2004, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Hartford, CT - Coordinates: 41.738334, -72.650276 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7383&lon=-72.6503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 60838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60838/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during the approach to the runway. A factor related to the accident was the nighttime conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - light condition - night (contributing factor) ## Analysis As the airplane was approaching the airport in nighttime conditions, the passenger alerted the pilot that they were low, and he subsequently lost visual contact with the runway. The airplane then impacted trees located about 2 miles from the runway threshold. The pilot continued the approach, and landed uneventfully. Examination of the airplane revealed spar damage to the leading edge of the left wing, and damage to the left landing gear door, the left flap, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The left wing outboard recognition light was also damaged, and the light fixture cavity contained numerous tree buds. ## Factual narrative On December 22, 2004, at 1730 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N714KL, was substantially damaged while landing at the Hartford Brainard Airport (HFD), Hartford, Connecticut. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local maintenance test flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was flying the airplane with an avionics mechanic to test new avionics that were recently installed. After completing several approaches at another airport, the pilot elected to return to HFD, and conduct an approach to runway 2. During the final segment of the approach, the pilot felt a "thump" coming from the left wing area. The pilot continued the approach, and landed uneventfully. After parking the airplane, the pilot inspected the left wing and observed "distorted spots in the wing, and a broken position light." According to the passenger, as the flight approached the airport, the pilot appeared to be flying a "very shallow" approach path to the runway. As the airplane continued to descend, the passenger lost sight of the runway due to the trees that were in front of them. He then heard loud impacts as the airplane struck trees located about 2 miles from the runway threshold. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed spar damage to the leading edge of the left wing, and damage to the left landing gear door, the left flap, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The inspector also observed that the left wing outboard recognition light was damaged, and the light fixture cavity contained numerous tree buds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N714KL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N714KL), registered now, S/N 4636328, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-46-350P - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-36328 - Airframe hours: 260 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: D Ellis & Co. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2004, 80 hours before - Departed: HFD, Hartford, CT - Airport: HFD, Hartford Brainard Airport, runway 02, 4,417 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 2,002 total, 200 in this make and model, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: HFD, 2 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 20041222034249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041222034249A), Dec 22, 2004: Piper PA46350P, Hartford, CT, Substantial damage. (-23) On a night VMC approach to runway 02 at hfd, the airplane struck trees prior to the runway and then landed without further incident. The left wing was… 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.