Piper PA-34-200T N8446F

Summary

On 13 March 2006 at about 03:20 local time, a Piper PA-34-200T registered N8446F was involved in an accident near Old Bridge, New Jersey, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 died, 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 March 2006 at 03:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Old Bridge, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Old Bridge Airport (3N6)

Coordinates

40.3322, -74.3539

Aircraft

Piper PA-34-200T

Registration

N8446F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Myrtle Beach → Old Bridge

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

NYC06FA078

2 people died.

The pilot's improper decision to conduct visual approach and landing in instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain during the go-around. Factors in the accident were the low cloud ceiling and fog conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to radar data and witnesses, the airplane entered the airport traffic pattern and attempted to land on the runway. The pilot then executed a go-around, performed a climbing right turn, and impacted trees and terrain shortly thereafter. The weather conditions reported around time of the accident included 1/8 to 1/4 mile visibility in fog. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions. With regard to night-flight in poor or marginal weather conditions, the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3 states, "The pilot flying under [visual flight rules] VFR must exercise caution to avoid flying into clouds or a layer of fog.… Remember that if a descent must be made through fog, smoke, or haze in order to land, the horizontal visibility is considerably less then when looking through the restriction than it is when looking straight down through it from above. Under no circumstances should a VFR night-flight be made during poor or marginal weather conditions unless both the pilot and the aircraft are certificated and equipped for flight under instrument flight rules (IFR)."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.