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Casualties unknown

Unstabilized Approach Precedes Terrain Impact During ILS in Low Visibility (N102SR)

Edgartown, MA, US

On September 19, 1992, a Cessna R182 (registration N102SR) operated by George R. Gladu was involved in an aviation accident near Edgartown, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOTS'S LACK OF REGARD FOR THE PUBLISHED DECISION HEIGHT OF THE APPROACH AND HIS DECISION NOT TO EXECUTE A 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A private pilot, flying two passengers for compensation, impacted terrain half a mile from the runway during an ILS approach with a 100-foot indefinite ceiling and half-mile visibility in fog; the approach was not stabilized in airspeed, glidepath, descent rate, or position relative to glideslope and localizer.

Accident Overview

A private pilot conducting an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach struck terrain approximately half a mile from the runway end. The approach was not stabilized, with the airspeed, glidepath, rate of descent, and position relative to the glideslope and localizer all reported as unstabilized.

Flight Details

The pilot was flying two passengers. According to an inspector with the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, the pilot was paid $200 for the flight and had been compensated to fly the same route at least ten times prior to the accident flight.

Weather Conditions

Weather reported at the time included an indefinite ceiling of 100 feet and visibility of half a mile due to fog. The published decision height for the ILS approach was 200 feet above ground level.

Approach and Impact

The pilot had been cleared for the ILS approach by the control tower. During the approach, the aircraft was not stabilized in terms of airspeed, glidepath, rate of descent, or position relative to the glideslope and localizer. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain about half a mile from the end of the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Sept 1992 Cessna R182 accident near Edgartown, MA?

A private pilot, flying two passengers for compensation, impacted terrain half a mile from the runway during an ILS approach with a 100-foot indefinite ceiling and half-mile visibility in fog; the approach was not stabilized in airspeed, glidepath, descent rate, or position relative to glideslope and localizer.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Sept 1992 involved a Cessna R182, registration N102SR, operated by George R. Gladu, at Edgartown, MA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOTS'S LACK OF REGARD FOR THE PUBLISHED DECISION HEIGHT OF THE APPROACH AND HIS DECISION NOT TO EXECUTE A MISSED APPROACH. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT INCLUDE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH AND DESCENT RATE DURING THE APPROACH, THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION TO CONTINUE THE…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15607. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.