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Casualties unknown

Pilot Impacts Water 4.5 Miles from Airport During Circle-to-Land Approach (N1488X)

New Haven, CT, US

On December 4, 1993, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration N1488X) was involved in an aviation accident near New Haven, CT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A NIGHT APPROACH IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DARK NIGHT. 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

While conducting an ILS approach to runway 2 with a circle to runway 20, an airplane impacted water 4.5 miles from the airport. The pilot, who received instrument rating 4.5 months prior, had acknowledged the clearance. Another pilot reported turbulent conditions.

Approach and Clearance

About 30 minutes before the accident, the pilot was advised to expect an ILS approach to runway 2 and began receiving vectors for the final approach course. Eight minutes before the accident, approximately 12 miles from the initial approach fix, the pilot was cleared for the ILS runway 2 approach to circle to runway 20. At about 2 miles from the initial approach fix, the pilot was again cleared for the ILS runway 2 to circle to runway 20.

Pilot Communication

While on the localizer, the pilot acknowledged the clearance, stating "circling to ah to two zero."

Accident Sequence

The airplane impacted the water 4.5 miles from the airport.

Weather Conditions

An ATR-42 pilot who had just landed reported that conditions were "rough and turbulent, especially at traffic pattern altitude."

Pilot Experience

The pilot had obtained his instrument rating 4 and a half months before the accident.

Investigation

No probable cause has been stated in the available source.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Dec 1993 Piper PA-28R-200 accident near New Haven, CT?

While conducting an ILS approach to runway 2 with a circle to runway 20, an airplane impacted water 4.5 miles from the airport. The pilot, who received instrument rating 4.5 months prior, had acknowledged the clearance. Another pilot reported turbulent conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Dec 1993 involved a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N1488X, at New Haven, CT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A NIGHT APPROACH IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DARK NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE RADAR CONTROLLER'S VECTORING OF THE PILOT TO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ATC…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13902. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.