Incident Overview
At night, the pilot of aircraft N3822Y was vectored for a visual flight rules (VFR) straight-in approach to Runway 2R. The controller advised the pilot of a Boeing 727 off the right front, passing from right to left, and cautioned about wake turbulence. The pilot acknowledged, stating, "OK, I see him." The controller then instructed the pilot to turn inbound and maintain visual contact with the 727. The pilot acknowledged and was cleared to the tower frequency.
Sequence of Events
At 1928:04, the pilot was cleared to land on Runway 2R but was not given wind information (nor did he report receiving ATIS information). The wind was from 250 degrees at 5 knots, which would have drifted wake turbulence from Runway 2L toward Runway 2R. At 1928:39, the pilot reported a wake turbulence encounter but continued inbound. Approximately 39 seconds later, radar contact was lost, and N3822Y crashed in a steep descent about 1 mile from Runway 2L. Tower personnel did not see the crash or realize it had occurred.
Radar and Wake Turbulence Data
Radar data indicated that the Boeing 727 made a straight descent to Runway 2L. N3822Y approached approximately 2 miles behind the 727 and below its approach path. At about 1100 feet AGL, as N3822Y converged approximately 200 feet below the 727's approach path, an abrupt altitude deviation (descent) occurred. The descent was arrested, but N3822Y continued inbound and converged again to about 200 feet below the 727's flight path at 300 feet AGL, after which radar contact was lost. The runway centerlines are 1650 feet apart, with Runway 2L staggered 1800 feet beyond the threshold of Runway 2R.