# NTSB NYC93FA026: Beech 55, N1ZB, Leicester, MA, October 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1992, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Leicester, MA
- Location: 42.2671° N, 71.8756° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WORCESTER RGNL (ORH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2671&lon=-71.8756&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93FA026

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDE PATH. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE AND HIS LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCED.

## 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 - approach light/navaid (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 11, AT NIGHT.  THE REPORTED VISIBILITY WAS 8 MILES WITH LIGHT RAIN.  HE DROPPED BELOW THE GLIDE PATH AND STRUCK AN APPROACH LIGHT TOWER ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.  THE PILOT HAD NOT FLOWN AT NIGHT IN ABOUT 90 DAYS. ALSO, HE HAD ONLY FLOWN ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THIS PERIOD.  EXAMINATION REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES WITH THE ENGINES, AND THE ILS WAS FLIGHT TESTED SATISFACTORILY.  A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE 'ON A GRADUAL DECLINE...HIT THE POLE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1ZB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1ZB-1993-01-06), registration cancelled 1993-01-06, S/N TC1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55) (registry code 1152705) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1943
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Powell, doing business as Powell Aircraft Leasing Inc.
- Registered owner: Powell Aircraft Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992
- Departed: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Destination: ORH, WORCESTER, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ORH, Worcester Municipal, runway 11, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,800 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORH, 1 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 19921019042459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921019042459A), Oct 19, 1992: Beech 95B55, Worcester, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Descended below glide slope on short final. Struck approach light towers. Rain on windshield.

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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