# NTSB NYC92LA020: Piper PA-23-250, N14256, Groton, CT, October 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1991, 18:57 local (23:57 UTC)
- Place: Groton, CT
- Location: 41.3535° N, 72.0225° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from GROTON-NEW LONDON (GON), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3535&lon=-72.0225&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA020

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE DURING THE APPROACH.  A FACTOR WAS PILOT FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - minimum descent altitude, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
  - weather condition - fog
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT HAD FLOWN IN IMC CONDITIONS ON TWO IFR FLIGHT PLANS THROUGHOUT THE DAY FROM MIAMI, FLORIDA TO GROTON, CONNECTICUT.  HE HAD UPDATED HIS DESTINATION AND ALTERNATE WEATHER WHILE EN ROUTE AND KNEW OF THE CONTINUING CONDITIONS.  AFTER REPORTING BABET INTERSECTION AND RECEIVING CLEARANCE FOR THE APPROACH TO LAND FOR RUNWAY 23, THE PILOT DESCENDED THE AIRPLANE TO APPROXIMATELY 680 FEET MSL AND ENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT.  THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED SLOWLY BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE AND IMPACTED A WOODED AREA APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT.  THE PILOT WAS VISUALLY SCANNING OUT THE AIRPLANE'S WINDOW AND DID NOT NOTE THE DESCENT BEFORE IMPACT.  HE REPORTED NO FAILURES TO ANY AIRPLANE SYSTEM OR RADIOS.  THE FAA COORDINATOR FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL WITH THE AIRPLANE AND DID STATE THAT THE PILOT REPORTED BEING TIRED AT THE TIME OF THE APPROACH.  THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE WAS 660 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14256](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14256-2002-03-18), registration cancelled 2002-03-18, S/N 27-4818, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (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: 27-4818
- Airframe hours: 3707
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Better Val-U, Inc.
- Registered owner: Better Val-U, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1991, 50 hours before
- Departed: CRE, N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GON, Groton-New London, runway 23, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 652 total, 245 in this make and model, 558 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GON, 2 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 19911027048139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911027048139A), Oct 27, 1991: Piper PA23250, Groton - New Lo, CT, Substantial damage. Struck trees short of airport on VOR approach. Weather known to pilot was below minimum. Descended below mda.

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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