# NTSB NYC83LA019: Piper PA-28-140, N7423R, Willimatic, CT, November 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1982, 00:15 local (04:15 UTC)
- Place: Willimatic, CT
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON THE SECOND APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT, AFTER EXECUTING A GO-AROUND ON THE FIRST, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED GROUND FOG. IN ZERO VISIBILITY, AT 3-5 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A "CONTROLLED CRASH" RATHER THAN ATTEMPT A TRANSITION TO INSTRUMENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7423R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7423R-1985-04-08), registration cancelled 1985-04-08, S/N 28-21950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21950
- Airframe hours: 2290
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carlos G. Benavides
- Registered owner: Carlos G. Benavides
- Departed: C, LEBANON, NH
- Destination: C, WILLIMANTIC, CT
- Airport: 5BO, Windham, runway 27, 4,360 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 293 total, 293 in this make and model, 197 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 76 statute miles
- Temperature: 133 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821103060449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821103060449A), Nov 3, 1982: Piper PA28140, Willimmantic, CT, Substantial damage. During flare for landing aircraft encountered fog. Pilot unable to see allowed aircraft to collide with trees.

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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