# NTSB NYC84FA074: Cessna P210N, N900FE, Groton, CT, January 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1984, 22:39 local (Jan 25, 1984, 03:39 UTC)
- Place: Groton, CT
- Location: 41.3535° N, 72.0225° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from GROTON-NEW LONDON (GON), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3535&lon=-72.0225&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA074

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - radar,approach/departure - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - control tower - not operating (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BLOWN OFF COURSE DURING A PROCEDURE TURN FOR AN ILS APPROACH. THE PLT MADE A MISSED APPROACH BECAUSE OF THEMISALIGNMENT AND TRIED A NON STANDARD MEANS OF ORIENTATION FOR THE 2ND ATTEMPT AND INTERCEPTED THE MIDDLE MARKER UNEXPECTEDLY. RADAR SHOWS THE ACFT BEGAN A RAPID DESCENT AND RIGHT TURN. THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED TO BELOW MINIMUMS AFTER THE PLTS LAST WEATHER REPORT OF A 600 FT CEILING. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AFTER THE PLT DECLARED A 2ND MISSED APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N900FE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 00514
- Airframe hours: 780
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ed Wachs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1983, 210 hours before
- Departed: UGN, WAUKEGAN, IL
- Destination: GON, GROTON, CT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GON, Groton-New London, runway 5, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,205 total, 410 in this make and model, 2,026 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GON, 1 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 19840124004529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840124004529A), Jan 24, 1984: Cessna P210N, Groton, CT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees during a missed approach procedure one mile beyond departure end of runway. Near zero visibility.

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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