Millville – Coatesville

On January 10, 2000 at 05:19 AM, Millville – Coatesville experienced a crash involving Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601), operated by N3193X Bonanza Corporation, with the event recorded near Coatesville-Chester County-G. O. Carlson Pennsylvania.

The flight was categorized as positioning and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 1, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While operating in IMC, the pilot was vectored to the final approach course for an ILS approach. Weather at the airport was ceiling 200 feet and visibility 3/4 mile in mist. The pilot was cleared for the approach, which he acknowledged. No other transmissions were received from the accident airplane. Radar data showed the airplane intercept the final approach course, then track inbound. The airplane crossed the outer marker 420 feet below the glide slope. The last radar return showed the airplane at 440 feet agl, 3.9 miles from the runway. The airplane impacted the ground at a shallow angle about 1 mile north of the airport on the opposite side of the missed approach procedure. The elevation of the accident site was approximately 40 feet lower than the airport. The pilot had about 350 hours of total flight experience. No pre-impact failures were identified with the airframe, engines, flight controls, or flight instruments.

Aircraft reference details include registration N905DK, MSN 61-0308-081, year of manufacture 1976.