# NTSB NYC90FA011: Piper PA-32-300, N4106W, Glastonbury, CT, October 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1989, 19:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Glastonbury, CT
- Location: 41.7123° N, 72.6081° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Glastonbury, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7123&lon=-72.6081&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA011

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE CONTROL DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE PILOT'S OPERATION AT NIGHT, WITHOUT EMERGENCY LIGHTING (FLASHLIGHT).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency equipment - unavailable, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOTS REPORTED SIX MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT AND INDICATED THEY WERE HAVING A COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEM AND WERE USING A HANDHELD RADIO. THE FLIGHT WAS ISSUED TRAFFIC FROM THE TOWER AND GIVEN CLEARANCE TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT. THE PILOTS INDICATED TO THE TOWER THEY MIGHT HAVE TO GO AROUND. THE TOWER ISSUED THEM INSTRUCTIONS TO GO AROUND, MAKE A RIGHT 360 DEGREE TURN, AND REPORT BACK ON FINAL. THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN MAKING A SLOW DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. AFTER 120 DEGREES OF TURN, IT DISAPPEARED BELOW THE TREELINE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED OVER UNLIT, WOODED TERRAIN DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4106W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4106W-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 32-40169, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-40169
- Airframe hours: 3802
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald C. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 3, 1989, 222 hours before
- Departed: GLEN FALLS, NY
- Destination: HFD, HARTFORD, CT
- Airport: HFD, Hartford Brainard, runway 2, 4,500 ×  ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 86 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HFD, 75 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 19891011039909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891011039909A), Oct 11, 1989: Piper PA32300, Hartford, CT, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Crashed into trees 3/4 mile from airport on night VFR demo flight, no mechanical problems found.

## Other investigations on N4106W (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW78IA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78IA074), Sep 4, 1978: Piper PA-32 (N4106W), Enid, OK, incident, minor damage

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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