Cessna 402C N6879Y

Summary

On 19 September 1997 at about 23:48 local time, a Cessna 402C registered N6879Y, operated by Ocean Wings Inc, was involved in an accident near Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 September 1997 at 23:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Nantucket Memorial (ACK)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 402C

Registration

N6879Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Ocean Wings Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hyannis → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

NYC97LA183

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's delayed decision to perform a go-around (missed approach). Related factors were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and disorientation of the flight crew, while making the approach in conditions of limited visibility.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot-in-command (PIC) and pilot/passenger (copilot) diverted to another airport prior to their destination because of low visibility at the destination airport. The visibility was low due to fog, but the pilots decided to continue to their original destination after they had deplaned their passengers. At the final destination, the PIC could not land from the first ILS approach due to poor visibility and attempted a second approach. He said that after the second approach, he had the runway environment in sight, but decided to go around because '... something didn't feel right.' The co-pilot said he got disoriented and confused, and called for a go-around. However, the airplane struck the ground immediately thereafter. Rescue workers reported difficulty finding the airplane due to poor visibility. They estimated the visibility at less than 25 feet. Weather reported at the time of the accident was: measured ceiling 100 feet obscured, 1/4 mile visibility with fog. The temperature and dew point were 65 degrees. Winds were from 180 degrees at 6 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.