Piper L-3 N6AN

Summary

On 3 November 1991 at about 17:50 local time, a Piper L-3 registered N6AN, operated by Robert H. Russell, was involved in an accident near Plymouth, Massachusetts, 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

3 November 1991 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper L-3

Registration

N6AN

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert H. Russell

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Norwood → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC92FA026

2 people died.

THE IMPROPER DECISION BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT TO ATTEMPT VFR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AT A LOW ALTITUDE, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE WATER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OVERCONFIDENCE OF THE PILOT IN HIS ABILITY AND AN AIRPLANE WITHOUT PROPER INSTRUMENTATION.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT HAD A HISTORY OF FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND IN WEATHER CONDITIONS EVEN THOUGH HE WAS NOT AN INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE FLYING OVER HIS BOAT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 50 FEET, INTO A FOG BANK. THE AIRPLANE HAD LIMITED FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.