# NTSB NYC91FA025: Beech A36, N422M, Bradford, PA, November 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1990, 20:40 local (Nov 8, 1990, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Bradford, PA
- Coordinates: 41.960651, -78.639556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9607&lon=-78.6396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, HIS DELAYED DECISION TO MAKE AN EMERGECY LANDING AFTER ENCOUNTERING ICING CONDITIONS EN ROUTE, ICE ACCUMULATION ON THE AIRPLANE, AND THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT 1948 THE PILOT HAD REQUESTED A LOWER ALTITUDE, AT 1958 REPORTED HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING ALTITUDE, AND AT 2003 ADVISED HE NEEDED TO LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WHILE BEING SUBSEQUENTLY VECTORED HE REPORTED HE WAS STILL PICKING UP SOME ICE BUT ABLE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. HE WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS RWY 32 APPROACH INTP BRADFORD REGIONAL. AT 2037 THE PILOT REPORTED '...I HAVE THE AIRPORT.' RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT THE VOR (LOM). THE WRECKAGE PATH WAS ON AN EASTERLY HEADING. TREE DAMAGE INDICATED THE AIRPLANE WAS IN ABOUT A 30 DEG LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE LANDING GEAR WAS DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N422M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N422M-2001-04-16), registration cancelled 2001-04-16, S/N E-542 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-542
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: John Franklin Mallory
- Departed: OWD, NORWOOD, MA
- Destination: TOL, TOLEDO, OH
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: BFD, Bradford Regional, runway 32, 6,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 813 total, 590 in this make and model, 119 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFD, 30 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 19901107049119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901107049119A), Nov 7, 1990: Beech A36, Bradford, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed after reporting airport in sight. Diverted due icing. No record wx briefing until wx encountered en route.

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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