THE PILOT ATTEMPTING A VFR FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR TREES ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT RATING, AND HIS OVERCONFIDENCE TO FLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
— NTSB Determination
N36069 WAS EN ROUTE TO MERIDEN, CT. THUNDERSTORMS AND RAIN SHOWERS WERE FORECASTED FOR THE ENTIRE AREA. THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING. WITNESSES HEARD AND SAW N36069 FLYING VERY LOW OVER THEIR HOMES JUST BEFORE THE CRASH IN A WOODED AREA, ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. THEY SAID THE ENGINE SOUNDED 'VERY LOUD.' SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID IT WAS REINING VERY HARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ONE WITNESS SAID VISIBILITY WAS ONLY ABOUT '150 FEET.'
N36069 WAS EN ROUTE TO MERIDEN, CT. THUNDERSTORMS AND RAIN SHOWERS WERE FORECASTED FOR THE ENTIRE AREA. THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING. WITNESSES HEARD AND SAW N36069 FLYING VERY LOW OVER THEIR HOMES JUST BEFORE THE CRASH IN A WOODED AREA, ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. THEY SAID…
The accident on 1991-05-31 involved a Piper PA-32RT-300, registration N36069, operated by Louis R. D'agostino, at Wallingford, CT.
THE PILOT ATTEMPTING A VFR FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR TREES ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT RATING, AND HIS OVERCONFIDENCE TO FLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
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