# NTSB NYC91FA080: Beech F-33A, N77Y, West Brookfield, MA, March 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1991, 19:30 local (Mar 4, 1991, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: West Brookfield, MA
- Location: 42.2405° N, 72.1471° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Brookfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2405&lon=-72.1471&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA080

## Probable cause

THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO FLY THE AIRPLANE IN CONDITIONS THAT PREVENTED HIM FROM SEEING AND AVOIDING HIGHER TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DECISION TO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH INTO PALMER, AND THE REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO RAIN, FOG AND NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES ON UNLIGHTED, RISING TERRAIN AFTER FLYING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO TONE AIRPORT AND ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 700 FEET BELOW APPROACH MINIMUMS AND 6 MILES AWAY FROM THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH AIRPORT AT NIGHT WITH RAIN AND LOW CLOUDS PRESENT.  RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRPLANE OPERATING BELOW THE MINIMUM ALTITUDES FOR THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH AND NOT FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED APPROACH PROCEDURE.  THE PILOT SAID HE DECIDED TO TURN BACK TO THE FIRST AIRPORT AND IN THE PROGRESS THE AIRPLANE STRUCK RISING TERRAIN. THE PILOT SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77Y-1991-05-08), registration cancelled 1991-05-08, S/N CE920 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F-33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE-920
- Airframe hours: 1820
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen Grady
- Registered owner: Walbach Properties Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1990, 69 hours before
- Departed: ACK, NANTUCKET, MA
- Destination: PMX, PALMER, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PMX, Palmer Metropolitan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 15,365 total, 1,284 in this make and model, 5,399 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark

## 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 19910303003709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910303003709A), Mar 3, 1991: Beech F33A, Palmer, MA, Destroyed. Canceled IFR. Tried to make visual approach too low,dark night,rain,fog in area. Struck trees on unseen ridge.

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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