Overview
On a dark night, the pilot of N6877J and another aircraft departed after being advised that fog was moving shoreward and that their intended destination, Waterford, Connecticut, would not remain VFR for long. Before arriving, fog had moved in, so they diverted to Fishers Island, New York.
Flight Details
The pilot of N6877J had called his home base and was told that fog was beginning to move shoreward and that Waterford would not remain VFR for long. The pilots of N6877J and another aircraft chose to depart immediately. En route, fog moved in over Waterford, prompting a diversion to Fishers Island.
Accident Sequence
During arrival at Fishers Island, N6877J was leading. It was a dark night, but the pilot of the following aircraft estimated visibility in the area as approximately 15 miles. While at 3,000 ft, the second pilot observed N6877J on a 1-mile base leg for Runway 19 when it crashed. The aircraft appeared to cartwheel on the water upon impact.
Recovery
Two aircraft wheels and the pilot's body were recovered. The main wreckage was not found.
Airport Information
Fishers Island Airport was equipped with medium intensity runway lights. However, no visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights were installed, and there was no instrument approach procedure for the airport.