# NTSB NYC84FA042: Piper PA-34-200T, N2958R, Bennington, VT, November 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1983, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Bennington, VT
- Location: 42.8711° N, 73.1802° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bennington, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8711&lon=-73.1802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA042

## 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)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - comm/nav equipment,distance measuring eqpt(dme) - erratic (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT ABOUT THE 1,800 FT LEVEL APPROXIMATELY 2 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT. THE ACFT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR THE VOR-A APPROACH. THE MISSED APPROACH POINT IS THE 6 DME POINT FROM THE CAMBRIDGE VOR ON THE 159 DEG RADIAL. MDA IS 1,740 FT. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT'S DME WAS INTERMITTENT, BELIEVED HE HAD A 10 KT TAILWIND & USED THE 3 MINUTE TIME FROM THE FAF TO THE MAP. ACCORDING TO THE APPROACH PROCEDURE A 3 MINUTE TIME IS USED FOR AN APPROACH SPEED OF 120 KTS. RECORDED RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT THE ACFT'S GROUND SPEED ON FINAL FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 169 & 184 KTS. A WITNESS ON THE ARPT DESCRIBED THE WX AS CEILING INDEFINITE ZERO OBSCURED & VISIBILITY ZERO IN FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2958R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2958R-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 34-7970403, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7970403
- Airframe hours: 1604
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pronto Air Light
- Registered owner: Sweetwater Drilling Supplies,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1983, 252 hours before
- Departed: AIY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 5B5, Bennington State

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,505 total, 155 in this make and model, 2,315 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 5B5, 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 19831129059209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831129059209A), Nov 29, 1983: Piper PA34200T, Bennington, VT, Destroyed. Pilot waited too long and allowed aircraft to get too low on missed approach. Crash occurred 2 miles beyond airport

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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