Gulfstream American AA5B N43ER
8 July 1991 · Columbia, Connecticut, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 8 July 1991 at about 03:05 local time, a Gulfstream American AA5B registered N43ER, operated by Robert O. Miller, was involved in an accident near Columbia, Connecticut, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 03:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Columbia, Connecticut, United States
- Nearest airport
- Windham (5BD)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream American AA5B
- Registration
- N43ER
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Robert O. Miller
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Old Bridge → Windham
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- NYC91FA174
People
3 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Gulfstream American AA5B accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Feb 1984 | Gulfstream American AA5B | Papillion, Nebraska, United States | Great Planes Air Service | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 2004 | Gulfstream American AA5B | Crystal River, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Sep 1991 | Davis D1K | Chester, Connecticut, United States | Richard S. Patenaude | No injuries | - |
| 21 Mar 1991 | Cessna 120 | Simsbury, Connecticut, United States | Korsen, Richard | Fatal | 2 |
| 28 Dec 1991 | Aeronca 7AC | Salisbury, Connecticut, United States | John F. Keena | Fatal | 2 |
| 3 May 1991 | Boeing 727-100QC | Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States | Ryan International Airlines | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jun 1991 | Piper PA-28-181 | East Haddam, Connecticut, United States | Dietrich J. Ginzel | Fatal | 3 |
| 31 May 1991 | Piper PA-32RT-300 | Wallingford, Connecticut, United States | Louis R. D'agostino | Fatal | 1 |