GLASTONBURY, CT, USA
N4106W
PIPER PA-32-300
THE PILOTS REPORTED SIX MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT AND INDICATED THEY WERE HAVING A COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEM AND WERE USING A HANDHELD RADIO. THE FLIGHT WAS ISSUED TRAFFIC FROM THE TOWER AND GIVEN CLEARANCE TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT. THE PILOTS INDICATED TO THE TOWER THEY MIGHT HAVE TO GO AROUND. THE TOWER ISSUED THEM INSTRUCTIONS TO GO AROUND, MAKE A RIGHT 360 DEGREE TURN, AND REPORT BACK ON FINAL. THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN MAKING A SLOW DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. AFTER 120 DEGREES OF TURN, IT DISAPPEARED BELOW THE TREELINE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED OVER UNLIT, WOODED TERRAIN DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS.
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE CONTROL DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE PILOT'S OPERATION AT NIGHT, WITHOUT EMERGENCY LIGHTING (FLASHLIGHT).
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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