Accident Overview
On December 12, 2024, about 1846 eastern standard time, a Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2008, registration N298PM, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Greenwich, Connecticut. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the private pilot serious injuries. The flight was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight and Communications
According to preliminary FAA air traffic control audio and ADS-B data, the airplane took off from Linden Airport (LDJ) in Linden, New Jersey, at about 1809. The flight turned left and proceeded north over the Hudson River. Around 1820, one pilot contacted LaGuardia ATCT and stated they were en route to Albany, New York. At 1826:42, the controller directed them to contact New York TRACON, and the flight was cleared to 3,500 ft msl into Class B airspace. At 1839:16, a pilot reported losing the engine and requested to divert to Westchester County Airport (HPN). The controller cleared them for a straight-in approach to runway 16. At 1840:46, a pilot said they switched fuel tanks and regained engine power. The controller asked if they wanted to continue toward HPN; the pilot affirmed. The flight then entered a downwind leg for runway 34. At 1842:39, while at 1,950 ft and about 4.7 nautical miles northwest of runway 16, a pilot again reported losing the engine and requested a straight-in landing. The controller cleared the flight to land. The airplane continued descending toward HPN.
Witness Account and Crash Sequence
Airport video surveillance from HPN showed the airplane making a steep left turn and descending above Interstate I-684. The airplane then climbed quickly and steeply descended below the tree line. A witness driving south on I-684 reported seeing the airplane about half a mile ahead. He heard no sound from the aircraft and could not see if the propeller was rotating. He observed the airplane fall very fast and crash in the center median. The witness went to the site, smelled no fuel, saw no fire, and pulled one occupant from the left side before police arrived.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane came to rest upright, leaning left in the narrow median between northbound and southbound lanes of I-684. The outer portion of the right wing extended over the guardrail and shoulder adjacent to the west edge of the northbound lanes. The wreckage was recovered that night to HPN for examination. All major parts were accounted for. The left fuel tank's drain sump was breached and leaking fuel; it contained 0.3 gallon of 100 low-lead aviation gasoline. The right fuel tank was not breached and contained about 9 gallons. Examination of flight controls for roll, pitch, and yaw showed no preimpact failure or malfunction. Initial engine examination revealed no evidence of catastrophic mechanical failure or malfunction. The wreckage, two personal electronic devices, and two Garmin electronic flight displays with SD cards were retained for further examination at the NTSB's Vehicle Recorders Division.