Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, an Aero Commander 560E (registration N3827C) was returning from Blairstown, where it had undergone minor maintenance. The pilot was operating under an IFR flight plan and had been cleared by New York TRACON to proceed at 2,000 feet MSL on a radar vector of 170 degrees for an ILS approach to Teterboro Airport. The aircraft was equipped with an altitude-encoding transponder, which was in use. During the flight, the pilot was advised of numerous traffic targets at the 12 o'clock position.
Meanwhile, a Cessna 182Q (registration N96402) was on a flight from Kupper Airport to Ramapo Airport. The direct route between these airports would have intersected the northwest edge of the New York TCA, where positive air traffic control begins between 1,800 and 7,000 feet MSL. The Cessna pilot was proceeding VFR without a flight plan and was not in radio communication with any ATC facility. The Cessna was equipped with a transponder that was operating, but it lacked altitude encoding capability.
Collision and Aftermath
As the two aircraft converged, the Cessna was on a northeasterly heading. They collided approximately one mile inside the TCA. After the collision, both aircraft impacted the ground about 1,500 feet apart. A map was found in the Cessna, which had a line drawn between the two airports, intersecting the TCA.
No further details regarding occupants, injuries, or fatalities were provided in the source.
Aircraft and Equipment
The Aero Commander 560E (N3827C) was equipped with an altitude-encoding transponder. The Cessna 182Q (N96402) had a transponder without altitude encoding capability.