# NTSB NYC91FA174: Gulfstream American AA5B, N43ER, Columbia, CT, July 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1991, 23:05 local (Jul 8, 1991, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CT
- Location: 41.7020° N, 72.3012° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Columbia, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7020&lon=-72.3012&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA174

## Probable cause

THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO CONTINUE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXPEREINCE, HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY, AND HIS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, circling (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF N43ER DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. WITNESSES STATED THAT THERE WAS DENSE FOG THROUGHOUT THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  N43ER WAS HEARD FLYING OVER SEVERAL HOMES AT A LOW ALTITUDE JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.  WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL WITH NO MALFUNCTIONS.  THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.  HE HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 169 HOURS, WITH 8.5 HOURS AT NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43ER-1994-07-27), registration cancelled 1994-07-27, S/N AA5B0907 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN AA5B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream American AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5b) (registry code 3970106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0907
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert O. Miller
- Registered owner: Robert O. Miller
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 3N6, OLD BRIDGE, NJ
- Destination: 5BQ, WINDHAM, CT
- Airport: 5BD, Windham

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 169 total, 124 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 16.2 in the last 90 days, 9.1 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles

## 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 19910707026119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910707026119A), Jul 7, 1991: Gulstm AA5B, Willimantic, CT, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into trees at night in dense fog. Not IFR rated. No weather briefing.

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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