Casualties unknown

Missed Approach Instruction Leads to Collision with Rising Terrain (N333EP)

North Andover, MA, US

On July 29, 1990, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N333EP) operated by Sharqi & Mohammad Al-sharqi was involved in an aviation accident near North Andover, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE CONTROLLER ISSUED AN UNAUTHORIZED ALTERNATE MISSED APPROACH PROCEDURE THAT DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE, AND THE PILOT DELAYED OBTAINING A PROPER RATE OF CLIMB DURING THE MISSED APPROACH. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot executing a missed approach instruction turned right and collided with tree tops about 1/4 mile east of the airport. The terrain rose from 149 ft at the runway threshold to 200 ft at the crash site. The issued procedure was not authorized per Air Traffic Control Manual 7110.65.

Event Description

During a missed approach, the tower controller issued an alternate missed approach procedure as instructed by the approach controller. The pilot was told to "turn right heading 180 climb and maintain 2000." The pilot executed these instructions, turned right, and flew toward rising terrain.

Witness Observations

Witnesses heard the engines prior to impact but reported no indication that the pilot aggressively started to climb.

Terrain and Impact

The aircraft collided with the tops of 100-foot-tall trees about 1/4 mile east of the airport and to the right of the runway centerline. The terrain rose from an elevation of 149 feet at the threshold of Runway 5 to approximately 200 feet at the crash site.

ATC Instructions

The missed approach procedure issued by the controller was not authorized as per Air Traffic Control Manual 7110.65.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23781. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.