Casualties unknown

Airplane Collides with Static Wires During ILS Approach (N402BK)

Hyannis, MA, US

On November 19, 1994, a Cessna 402C (registration N402BK) operated by Island Airlines, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Hyannis, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path during an ILS approach, which resulted in a collision with power lines. Factors in this accident were; adverse weather conditions with turbulence, down drafts and fog. 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

An airplane on an ILS Runway 15 approach collided with static wires about 2 miles north of the runway. Three preceding aircraft encountered downdrafts and turbulence on the same approach. The control tower was closed. Weather conditions included low ceiling and fog.

Accident Overview

An airplane conducting an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 15 collided with static wires approximately 2 miles north of the runway threshold. The wires were located directly in the airplane's flight path and aligned with the ILS final approach course. The local control tower was closed at the time of the accident.

Flight Path and Weather Conditions

The accident occurred during an approach in deteriorating weather. The 2155 weather observation from Otis Air National Guard Base reported an indefinite ceiling of 100 feet, sky obscured, visibility 3/4 mile, light rain and fog, temperature 59°F, dew point 58°F, wind from 170° at 14 knots gusting to 19 knots, and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches Hg.

Pilot Reports

Three other aircraft completed the approach prior to the accident airplane, N402BK. The pilots of those aircraft all reported that, while on the final approach course at approximately 500 to 700 feet MSL, they encountered downdrafts and turbulence. According to the pilots, these downdrafts caused their airplanes to fall below the glide slope. In order to regain the glide slope, they needed to increase power or adjust the aircraft's pitch attitude.

Conclusion

The investigation determined that the airplane struck static wires while on the ILS approach. No further details regarding the cause or contributing factors were provided in the source material.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02642. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.