Casualties unknown

1983-11-29: Piper PA-34-200T (N2958R) — Pronto Air Light — Bennington, VT

Bennington, VT, US

On November 29, 1983, a Piper PA-34-200T (registration N2958R) operated by Pronto Air Light was involved in an aviation accident near Bennington, VT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

Aircraft crashed into mountainous terrain at 1,800 ft, two miles south of airport, cleared for VOR-A approach. Pilot reported intermittent DME, used three-minute timing from FAF to MAP; radar showed ground speed 169-184 knots. Weather: zero visibility in fog.

Overview

The aircraft crashed into mountainous terrain at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet, about two miles south of the airport. The flight had been cleared for the VOR-A approach.

Approach Details

The missed approach point was the 6 DME point from the Cambridge VOR on the 159-degree radial. The minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the approach was 1,740 feet.

The pilot stated that the aircraft's DME was intermittent. He believed there was a 10-knot tailwind and used a three-minute timing from the final approach fix to the missed approach point. According to the approach procedure, a three-minute time is used for an approach speed of 120 knots. However, recorded radar data showed that the aircraft's ground speed on the final approach fluctuated between 169 and 184 knots.

Weather Conditions

A witness at the airport described the weather conditions as ceiling indefinite zero obscured and visibility zero in fog.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X45179. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.