# NTSB NYC84FA295: Aero Commander 680V, N100CT, Bridgeport, CT, September 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1984, 20:08 local (Sep 4, 1984, 00:08 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, CT
- Location: 40.5183° N, 74.0312° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BRIDGEPORT/SIKORSKY (BDR), within about 20 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5183&lon=-74.0312&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA295

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO THE WATER SIX & 1/2 MILES SW OF BRIDGEPORT, CT. THE ACFT WAS ON AN ILS APCH TO RWY 06. THE ACFT WAS IN COMMUNICATION WITH NY TRACON ARRVL RADAR AND ON HIS INITIAL CALL HAD INDICATED A DESIRE FOR A CLEARANCE DIRECT TOBRIDGEPORT. A BRIEF RADIO EXCHANGE RESULTED IN THE DESIRED CLEARANCE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS OR LOW FUEL STATE IN THE COMMUNICATION. APRX 15 MINUTES AFTER INITIAL CALL, THE CONTROLLER WAS GIVING THE FINAL APCH INSTRUCTIONS TO N100CT, AFTER HAVING USED SOME TURNS AND CHANGES IN AIRSPEED TO SPACE THE FLT BEHIND LANDING TRAFFIC, WHEN RADAR & RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST. POST ACCIDENT FUEL CALCULATIONS BASED ON FUEL ABOARD VS FLT TIME EN ROUTE AND NORMAL FUEL CONSUMPTION SHOWED APRX 6 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. THE NORMAL UNUSABLE FUEL FOR THIS ACFT IS 13 GALLONS WHICH INCREASES DURING MANEUVERING. IDENTIFIABLE PARTS OF THE ACFT AND SOME PAPER DOCUMENTS WERE RECOVERED BY THE COAST GUARD. THE PLT'S BODY WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N100CT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 680V
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1618-50
- Engines: Airesearch TPE-31-1-1511 575 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Palm Beach Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: WEST PALM BEACH
- Destination: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT
- Airport: BDR, Igor Sikorski, runway 6, 4,677 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDR, 65 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 19840903054869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840903054869A), Sep 3, 1984: Gulstm 680V, Bridgeport, CT, Destroyed. Uncontrolled descent into water while on approach. Pilot presumed fatal. Fuel exhaustion, lost ground reference.

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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