Piper PA-32R-301T N8168G

Summary

On 21 December 2002 at about 02:03 local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T registered N8168G was involved in an accident near Woodbury, Connecticut, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 December 2002 at 02:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Woodbury, Connecticut, United States

Nearest airport

Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC)

Coordinates

41.5972, -72.7561

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-301T

Registration

N8168G

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rutland State → Farmingdale

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

IAD03FA024

2 people died.

An engine fire for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the pilot's loss of control, and the airplane's subsequent impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight at night, the pilot declared an emergency, and reported heavy smoke in the cockpit and an engine fire. Approximately 3 minutes later, while being vectored by air traffic control to a local airport, the airplane crashed in residential property. Several witnesses, including an air traffic controller, saw a red glow or flames around the front of the airplane prior to impact. The controller stated that when he first saw the airplane, it was headed toward the airport, in a descent, with its landing lights on. He momentarily turned his attention away from the airplane, but when he looked at it again, the engine area was engulfed in yellow flames. The airplane then began an uncontrolled descent, and disappeared from view. A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that it was heavily fragmented from the impact and post-crash fire. In addition, magnesium engine parts were exposed to water during fire fighting efforts, which caused additional damage to portions of the engine and accessories. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the majority of in-flight fire damage was located on the right side of the airplane, from the engine cowling, back to the right passenger door. The source of the engine fire could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.