What happened
On August 9, 2013, a Rockwell International 690B, registration N13622, crashed into two residences in East Haven, Connecticut, while maneuvering for landing. The flight departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, destined for Tweed-New Haven Airport.
At approximately 11:15, the pilot was cleared for an instrument landing system approach to runway 2, with a circle to land runway 20. The weather at the time involved instrument meteorological conditions with an overcast ceiling between 600 and 1,100 feet and light rain.
During the traffic pattern, the tower controller asked the pilot if he could maintain visual contact with the airport. The pilot initially reported being in visual contact, but the controller subsequently lost sight of the aircraft. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane descend from the clouds in a nose-down, rotating attitude. The aircraft struck two homes, causing 4 fatal injuries, including the pilot, one passenger, and two individuals on the ground.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage of the aircraft, which was found inverted with the cockpit section located inside a house basement. The right wing had impacted an adjacent house and separated from the fuselage, while the left wing had impacted the ground.
Engine examinations performed at the manufacturer's facility did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented normal operations. Both propellers exhibited chordwise scratching and s-bending, but no preimpact failures were found. An enhanced ground proximity warning system and cockpit display were recovered, but data could not be retrieved due to thermal and impact damage.
Radar analysis showed the aircraft was flying at approximately 100 knots on a left downwind leg. To align with the runway, the aircraft would have required a 180-degree turn with a bank of at least 45 degrees. At this bank angle, the aircraft's stall speed would have been between 88 and 94 knots, and would have increased further if the bank was steeper.
Toxicological testing of the pilot revealed the presence of zolpidem, a sleep aid, but the levels were below the therapeutic range and consistent with use the previous evening, meaning the pilot was not impaired.
Findings
- The pilot was attempting a circling approach during gusty tailwind conditions.
- The aircraft was flying at or below the minimum descent altitude of 720 feet.
- The pilot was maneuvering in and out of an overcast ceiling.
- The aircraft was likely in an aerodynamic stall caused by aggressive banking to align with the runway while maintaining a speed near the stall threshold.