Cessna 172 N677DM

Summary

On 11 July 2019 at about 01:54 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N677DM, operated by Air Fleet Training Systems, was involved in an accident near Vineyard Haven, 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

11 July 2019 at 01:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Martha's Vineyard (MVY)

Coordinates

41.3933, -70.6139

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N677DM

Category

Airplane

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Air Fleet Training Systems

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Groton (New London) → Vineyard Haven

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

GAA19CA401

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral position in relation to the instrument approach course at night in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with a tree.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach at night in instrument meteorological conditions and while correcting course on the ILS, she saw full right deflection, corrected to the left, and then observed full left deflection on the course direction indicator about the decision altitude. She added that she then heard and felt a loud "bang." The airplane turned left, she aborted the approach, executed a missed approach, and declared an emergency. She was then vectored to a nearby airport where she landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. An examination by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed pine needles in the damaged section of the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 5 knots, visibility 1/4 statute mile, runway visual range 1,800 ft, variable 2,200 ft, cloud condition fog, vertical visibility 200 ft, temperature 21°C (70°F), dew point 21°C (70°F), and altimeter setting 30.01 inches of mercury. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 24.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.