Mooney M20J N5763W

Summary

On 24 May 2004 at about 01:08 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N5763W, operated by Bruce E. Alspach, was involved in an accident near Oxford, Connecticut, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 May 2004 at 01:08

Classification

Accident

Location

Oxford, Connecticut, United States

Nearest airport

Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC)

Coordinates

41.4622, -73.1278

Aircraft

Mooney M20J

Registration

N5763W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Bruce E. Alspach

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Burlington → Oxford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

NYC04FA127

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during an instrument approach, which resulted in a collision with trees prior to the runway. Factors were nighttime conditions and cloud cover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot received a weather briefing for the night IFR flight, which included advisories for thunderstorms. The takeoff, climb, and cruise portions of the flight were uneventful. While approaching the destination airport, the pilot was informed that the control tower was closing, and an airplane ahead of him had just successfully landed. The pilot was provided the current weather at the destination airport, which included scattered clouds at 200 feet and a visibility of 2 miles. After being cleared for the ILS approach, the airplane intercepted the localizer course, crossed the final approach fix at 2,700 feet, and radar coverage was lost about 1,900 feet. Witnesses on the ground reported seeing the airplane flying low, near a thunderstorm and fog. The airplane's engine revved to high power as it descended into trees about 1/2-mile short of the runway, and 1,000 feet right of extended centerline. Weather reports confirmed precipitation and lightning near the destination airport about the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.