NYC99FA012

The pilot initiated an ILS approach in IMC conditions, at night, from over water. After tracking on the localizer and glideslope for part of the approach, the airplane entered a descent and leveled off at 100 feet for about 12 seconds prior to disappearing from radar. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found with the airplane. Both wings had sustained moderate impact damage. The outboard portion of the left wing was not recovered. The pilot had told approach control that if he missed, he would request the approach to a nearby airport. The navigation radio frequencies did not match the instrument approach flown, the missed approach, or the planned subsequent approach.

History of flight

On October 9, 1998, about 1944 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5, N7100L, impacted water while on approach to the Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC), Provincetown, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Albany County Airport (ALB), Albany, New York, about 1750. The flight was conducted on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan under 14 CFR Part 91.

Records from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed the pilot received a weather briefing at 1430. The briefer stated in part:

"low pressure off the coast of jersey northeasterly stationary front through coastal cape cod trailing south southwestward stationary front near the atlantic coastline by seven p m low pressure uhh over cape cod northeasterly stationary front and southerly stationary front to a low pressure near cape hatteras and then from there a cold front southbound which will remain uh nearly stationary through midnight...radar is showing wide spread rain showers for your destination that extend from portland down through uh pease and boston and the cape light to moderate to occasionally to isolated strong rain showers...."

At the completion of the briefing, the pilot filed an instrument flight plan to Provincetown, and listed Concord, New Hampshire as his alternate airport. The pilot reported his expected en route time as 1 hour 50 minutes, with 4 hours of fuel onboard.

According to FAA records, N7100L departed the Albany airport, at 1748.

There were no reported problems with the flight until after the ILS Runway 7 approach was initiated.

The pilot established initial radio contact with Cape TRACON at 1920:10. At 1922:28, the pilot transmitted, "zero zero lima the awos at p town [Provincetown, MA] is showing below minimums sir do you have any other suggestion for an alternate on the cape."

Cape TRACON replied, "ah yes sir the hyannis airport is available advise with the atis for that please." The pilot reported that he had the ATIS for Hyannis, Massachusetts. He then requested to make the approach into Provincetown, and advised them that if he was unable to land at Provincetown, he would then divert to Hyannis.

At 1929:07, Cape TRACON transmitted, "grumman zero zero lima roger present heading join the ils seven final approach course proceed inbound." This was acknowledged by the pilot.

At 1930:10, Cape TRACON transmitted, "grumman zero zero lima is ah eleven miles from phony [intersection] cleared ils runway seven approach." This was acknowledged by the pilot.

At 1937:43, Cape TRACON transmitted, "grumman zero zero lima is four from phony [intersection] frequency change is approved report cancellation as soon as possible on the ground 120.65 have departure traffic waiting." The pilot acknowledged this, at 1937:54.

No further radio transmissions were received from N7100L.

The pilot of a scheduled commuter airline at Provincetown reported that his departure from PVC was held, pending the arrival of N7100L. When N7100L did not arrive, the commuter pilot taxied his airplane on the taxiway to the run-up area adjacent to the approach end of the Runway 7, shut down both engines and exited the airplane. He said the ceiling was about 100 feet, visibility was about 3/4 statute mile, and the wind was estimated to be from 240 to 260 degrees at 6 knots. Rain had been intermittent; however, it was not raining at the approach end of the runway just after N7100L had initiated its approach to Provincetown. He was unable to see or hear the airplane.

The accident occurred during the hours of darkness, near 42 degrees, 3 minutes, 3 seconds north latitude, and 70 degrees, 15 minutes, 57 seconds west longitude.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He also held a glider rating, limited to aero-tow. He was issued a Third Class Airman Medical Certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on May 5, 1998.

According to the pilot's flight logbook, he had logged a total time of 1,371 hours, with 1,255 hours as pilot-in-command, and 107 hours in the accident airplane. In addition, he had logged 262 hours of night time, and 253 hours of actual instrument flight time, along with 67 hours of simulated instrument flight time. He had last passed an instrument proficiency flight check on May 19, 1998, in a Cessna 172. Logbook records indicated he had logged 9.4 hours of night time, and 6.0 hours of instrument time in the preceding 90 days.

Aircraft information

The airplane was a 1974 Grumman-American AA-5. The airplane maintenance records were not recovered, and the date of the last inspection, and total time of the airplane were not determined.

The airplane had last been refueled at Signature Flight Support, Albany, New York, on October 9, 1998, with 14 gallons of 100 low lead aviation grade gasoline, which filled the two wing tanks.

According to FAA records, N7100L was observed on the ramp at Provincetown Municipal Airport on September 8, 1998. Based upon a visual inspection of the airplane, an FAA Inspector placed an Aircraft Condition Notice (FAA Form 8620-1) on the airplane. According to a copy of the original notice that was left on the airplane, the following items were noted:

"1. Left aileron has a hole [in] trailing edge." "2. Landing light not secured. Floating in bottom of engine cowl." "3. Hole in right elevator tip."

According to the condition notice, the airplane required a Special Flight Permit for further operations. The condition notice was followed up with a letter that was sent Certified-Return Receipt Requested. According to the FAA Inspector who signed the condition notice, the letter was returned as unclaimed. The FAA Inspector also reported that he talked to the previous owner of N7100L, who told him the current owner of N7100L had admitted to receiving the condition notice.

During the post accident examination of the airplane, a hole was found on the tip of the leading edge of the right elevator that measured 2 1/2 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches high. In addition, an epoxy like substance was found in a hole that measured about 1/4 inch across, located 11 inches inboard from the tip on the trailing edge of the left aileron. The lower cowling had been crushed rearward and the center portion was missing. No determination could be made on how the landing light was secured.

The wreckage was viewed by the FAA inspector who wrote the condition notice. He reported that the hole on the right elevator tip was in the same condition as when he wrote the condition notice, and the hole in the trailing edge of the left aileron was plugged with an unknown substance. He could not comment on the engine cowling, as that portion was not recovered.

Meteorological information

The 1954 automatic weather observation from Provincetown reported calm winds, visibility of 3/4 statute mile, an overcast cloud ceiling at 200 feet, and a temperature and dewpoint of 13 degrees Celsius.

Aids to navigation

Provincetown Municipal Airport was served by two instrument approaches. There was an ILS approach to Runway 7, and a GPS or NDB approach to Runway 25. A post-accident flight check on October 11, 1998, of the ILS was satisfactorily completed. Due to the overwater configuration of the ILS Runway 7 approach, the final approach fix was identified by the localizer final approach course and the 287 degree radial on the MARCONI VOR. It was called PHONY intersection.

During the flight check the ceilliometer was observed to be reporting inaccurately. It was NOTAMED out of service until it could be replaced.

AIRDROME INFORMATION (Destination)

Runway 25 was also equipped with medium