On July 8, 1991, a Gulfstream American AA5B (registration N43ER) operated by Robert O. Miller was involved in an aviation accident near Columbia, CT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO CONTINUE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
The pilot of N43ER did not receive a weather briefing before departure, flying at low altitude in dense fog without an instrument rating. The engine sounded normal with no malfunctions.
Flight Details
Before departure, the pilot of aircraft N43ER did not obtain a weather briefing. Witnesses reported dense fog throughout the area at the time of the incident. The aircraft was heard flying over several homes at a low altitude shortly before the event. The engine was described by witnesses as sounding normal, with no indications of malfunction.
Pilot Experience
The pilot was not instrument rated. His total flight time was 169 hours, of which 8.5 hours were logged at night.
Context
No further information regarding the outcome of the flight or specific damage was provided in the source. The investigation did not state a probable cause for the accident.
What happened in the 8 Jul 1991 Gulfstream American AA5B accident near Columbia, CT?
The pilot of N43ER did not receive a weather briefing before departure, flying at low altitude in dense fog without an instrument rating. The engine sounded normal with no malfunctions.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Jul 1991 involved a Gulfstream American AA5B, registration N43ER, operated by Robert O. Miller, at Columbia, CT.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO CONTINUE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXPEREINCE, HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY, AND HIS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…