NTSB Identification: ERA13FA064
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, November 19, 2012 in Canton, CT
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/06/2013
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-180, registration: N8826J
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot was flying to the destination airport at night on the second day of a long cross-country trip. Radar data showed that when the airplane was about 12 miles from the destination airport, it began to descend. The airplane eventually descended into trees and terrain about 6 miles from the destination airport, at an elevation nearly 400 feet below the airport's traffic pattern altitude, and 1,400 feet below the maximum elevation figure published for that area.
A state police helicopter dispatched to search for the airplane following the accident reported that the terrain surrounding the accident site was "surprisingly" dark, and that some of the only nearby ground lighting came from a parking lot about 1 mile beyond the accident location and along the airplane’s course . According to the aeronautical information manual, lights along a straight path can easily be mistaken for runway lights at night. The pilot’s logbook indicated that he had flown 1 hour at night in the accident airplane in the preceding year. Given the pilot's lack of recent night flying experience, it is possible that he initiated the early descent because he had mistaken the nearby parking lot lights for those of the destination airport.
Postaccident examination of the airplane showed no evidence of preaccident failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing a night visual approach to an airport. Contributing to the accident were the dark night and the pilot's lack of recent experience flying at night.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On November 19, 2012, about 1824 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8826J, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain near Canton, Connecticut, while on approach to Simsbury Airport (4B9), Simsbury, Connecticut. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight last departed from Heritage Field Airport (PTW), Pottstown, Pennsylvania, about 1700. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot departed Suwanne County Airport (24J), Live Oak, Florida, on November 18, 2012 and flew to Orangeburg Municipal Airport (OGB), Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he and his passenger remained overnight. The pilot and his passenger were traveling to Connecticut to attend a funeral. On November 19, the pilot departed OGB, about 1130, with fuel stops at Dinwiddie County Airport (PTB), Petersburg, Virginia, and PTW. A fuel receipt from PTW indicated the pilot received 22.5 gallons of 100 LL at 1636.
According to air traffic control (ATC) communication transcripts and radar data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Yankee Terminal Approach, Windsor Lock, Connecticut, the pilot contacted ATC at 1810 and reported he was at 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and inbound to land at 4B9. The air traffic controller then informed the pilot he was in radar contact and 30 miles west of Bradley International Airport (BDL), Windsor Locks. At 1814, the pilot contacted ATC stating he was at 2,500 and was advised to report when he had the destination in sight. At 1819, an air traffic controller instructed the pilot to maintain visual flight rules (VFR) at or below 3,000 feet for traffic, and the pilot responded he was at 2,500 feet. About the same time, the airplane began to descend. Two minutes later, the airplane had descended to about 1,900 feet msl, airspeed remained relatively constant, and the airplane was headed directly to 4B9, on about a 050 heading. At 1822, the average descent rate increased to about 1,000 feet per minute, airspeed decreased to about 108 knots, and the airplane remained headed directly to 4B9. About that time, the pilot acknowledged a traffic advisory. No further transmissions were received from the pilot. Radar contact was lost at 1824 at an altitude of 900 feet msl and 70 feet above ground level, about six miles southwest of 4B9, in the vicinity of Onion Mountain.
A Connecticut State Police helicopter conducted an aerial search and rescue after the Alert Notice was issued for the airplane. Upon reaching the accident site, the helicopter pilot observed a lighted area about 1 mile east of the accident site. The lighted area was a large parking lot with pole lighting that stood out in the darkness. The airplane’s flight trajectory would have passed right over the top of the parking lot. The helicopter pilot, who was using night vision goggles, stated he was “surprised” by how dark it was in the area of the crash site.
PILOT INFORMATION
According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He did not hold an instrument rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 20, 2011. According to the pilot’s most recent logbook entry, dated September 12, 2012, he had a total of 962 total hours of flight experience; of which, 786 of those hours were in the make and model; and 128 hours were accumulated at night. The pilot had recorded about 1 hour of flight experience at night within the preceding year in the accident airplane.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The four-seat, low-wing, fixed tricycle-gear airplane was manufactured in 1965. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360, 180-horsepower engine, equipped with a Sensenich fixed pitch propeller. Review of maintenance logbooks revealed that its most recent annual inspection was completed on March 1, 2012, at 2,657 total airframe hours. The engine had accumulated approximately 2,657 total hours of operation and 708 hours since its most recent overhaul. The airplane had accumulated about 45 additional flight hours since the most recent annual inspection.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The weather conditions at BDL, at 1851, located about 10 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, included wind from 010 degrees at 3 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, and few clouds at 25,000 feet. The temperature was 2 degrees C, the dew point was -2 degrees C, and the barometric altimeter setting was 30.35 inches of mercury.
Other than night time conditions, no significant weather advisories for turbulence, icing, or instrument meteorological conditions were noted. The 1900 upper air sounding at BDL depicted light winds below 5,000 feet and freezing level above 7,000 feet. There were no pilot reports of turbulence or low level wind shear in the vicinity.
Astronomical data from the United States Naval Observatory indicated that sunset occurred at 1624 and end of civil twilight occurred at 1657. Moonrise occurred at 1144 and set after the accident at 2253. At the time of the accident the moon was 35 degrees above the horizon at an azimuth of 200 degrees. The phase of the moon was a waxing crescent with 43 percent illumination.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
4B9 was a non-towered airport that operated under class C airspace and had no published instrument procedures. The airport was equipped with pilot controlled lighting and the traffic pattern altitude for fixed wing aircraft was 1,200 feet msl. The field elevation for the airport was 195 feet msl. The airport was equipped with one asphalt runway. Runway 3/21 was 2,205 feet in length and 50-feet wide. Bradley International Airport was located 4 nautical miles east of the airport. The maximum elevation figure (MEF) west of 4B9 was 2,200 feet msl.
WRECKAGE INFORMATION
The accident site was located about 6 miles southwest of 4B9, at an elevation of 830 msl, on a heavily wooded ridgeline. The distance from the last radar contact to the initial impact area was less than a 1/4 nautical mile. The initial impact point was identified by several damaged tree limbs, and a wreckage path about 75 feet in length, oriented approximately 070 degrees magnetic, extending through the impact area. Fragments of the airplane, including portions of the right wing, right main landing gear, and outboard portion of the left wing were located along the wreckage path. The engine remained attached to the fuselage, and one of the two propeller blades exhibited impact-related damage.
The right wing was located in the initial tree impact area. Aileron control cable continuity was traced from the control sector thru the cable separations to the fuselage, forward to the control “T”-Bar. The left wing was segmented into two sections, inboard and outboard. The left flap was attached to its hinge points on the trailing edge. The left aileron was segmented at its inboard hinge. Continuity of the left aileron control cable was traced to the forward cabin area and the control “T’-Bar. Rudder pedal control continuity was established aft. The stabilizer control cables were attached to the balance weight and control continuity was established and no hammering condition was noted on the stabilator primary stops. The rudder control cables were separated from their clevises, which were attached to the rudder control horn. Control continuity was established from the cable separation at the clevises forward to the cabin area.
The engine was suspended from a lift and partially disassembled to facilitate the examination. The propeller was removed and the engine was rotated by means of a tool inserted in the vacuum pump drive pad. Continuity of the crankshaft to the rear gears and to the valve train was confirmed. Compression and suction were observed from all four cylinders. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange and the propeller spinner was crushed. One propeller blade was curved aft about 5 degrees; about 5 inches of the outboard blade was bent forward about 60 degrees; and, about 1 inch of the blade tip was bent forward. The other propeller blade was curved aft about 20 degrees and exhibited leading edge abrasion and impact damage. The propellers blade also exhibited twisting and trailing edge “S” bends. The carburetor was disassembled and no damage was noted to the float assembly or other internal components. No fuel was observed in the airframe fuel strainer. About 1 teaspoon of a liquid, with color and odor consistent with that of aviation 100LL fuel, was observed in the carburetor float bowl. No water was observed in the bowl. Fuel was observed in the engine driven fuel pump and the pump produced fuel when actuated by hand. Fuel was also observed in the aircraft electric fuel pump. The fuel screens from the carburetor, aircraft fuel strainer and the airframe electric fuel pump were examined and no debris noted. All eight spark plugs exhibited normal wear. An undetermined quantity of oil was observed in the engine and the engine oil filter was impact separated from the engine and was not recovered. The oil cooler remained attached to the engine baffling and was impact damaged.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the State of Connecticut, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Farmington, Connecticut, on November 19, 2012. Review of the autopsy report revealed that the cause of death was “multiple blunt traumatic injuries” and the manner of death was “accident.”
The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute toxicology report was negative for all drugs in the screening profile. In addition, the report stated that no ethanol was detected in vitreous fluid, nor was any carbon monoxide detected in a blood sample.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
A handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver was recovered in the wreckage and examined by the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory. Data was successfully downloaded; however, there was no data for the accident flight.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Ground Lighting Illusions
According to the Aeronautical Information Manual, lights along a straight path, such as a road, and even lights on moving trains can be mistaken for runway and approach lights.
NTSB Identification: ERA13FA064
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, November 19, 2012 in Canton, CT
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-180, registration: N8826J
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On November 19, 2012, about 1825 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8826J, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain near Canton, Connecticut, while on approach to Simsbury Airport (4B9), Simbury, Connecticut. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Heritage Field Airport (PTW), Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and was destined for 4B9. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Review of preliminary air traffic control information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the pilot contacted Bradley Approach at 1810 and reported he was at 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and inbound to land at 4B9. Bradley Approach informed the pilot he was in radar contact and 30 miles west of Bradley International Airport (BDL), Windsor Locks, Connecticut. At 1814, the pilot stated he was at 2,500 feet and was told to report 4B9 in sight. The pilot’s last transmission to Bradley Approach was at 1822 when he acknowledged a previous traffic advisory was no longer a factor. No further transmissions were received from the flight, and radar contact was lost about 1 minute later at an altitude of 900 feet msl.
According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 20, 2011, at which time he reported 960 total hours of flight experience.
The accident site was located on a heavily wooded ridgeline approximately 6 miles southwest of 4B9. The initial impact point was identified by several damaged tree limbs, and a wreckage path about 75 feet in length, oriented approximately 070 degrees magnetic, extending through the impact area. Fragments of the airplane, including portions of the right wing, right main landing gear, and outboard portion of the left wing were located along the wreckage path. The engine remained attached to the fuselage, and one of the two propeller blades exhibited impact-related damage. One blade was bent aft about 45 degrees near the mid-span and had no leading edge gouging or chord-wise scratching. The other blade was under the engine and will be examined along with the engine after the aircraft is recovered.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 8826J Make/Model: PA28 Description: PA-28 CHEROKEE, ARROW, WARRIOR, ACHER, D
Date: 11/19/2012 Time: 2334
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: CANTON State: CT Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 2 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE
FATALLY INJURED, 10 MILES FROM CANTON, CT
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 1 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: WINDSOR LOCKS, CT (EA63) Entry date: 11/20/2012
Donald J. Derocher in the photo that serves as the ‘wallpaper’ on Bob Derocher’s phone.
Credit Courtesy of Bob Derocher
Donald J. Derocher used to say there was one thing that would keep him from flying.
“The day he stopped flying is the day there’ll be a hole in the sky,” was the phrase, his brother Bob said Wednesday.
It was Monday evening when the plane piloted by Donald J. Derocher, 73, crashed into the top of Onion Mountain in Canton, killing Derocher and wife Josephine, 74.
“Now I guess there’s a hole in the sky,” Bob Derocher said.
Bob Derocher said he is still shocked about the accident. His brother was “meticulous” about keeping the plane up to date and running and had numerous years' experience flying that route and others many times, even at night.
“I really couldn’t believe it; he’s such a good pilot,” Bob Derocher said.
The Derocher brothers grew up with five siblings in the Hartford area.
Donald and Josephine later lived in Tolland for many years before moving to Windsor Locks for a short time and then to Florida approximately three years ago, Bob Derocher said.
The couple had two kids, including a daughter who now lives in Canton, according to Bob Derocher.
In Florida, Donald Derocher love to disc jockey for senior centers. He also played bass and loved country and western music, Bob Derocher said.
Bob Derocher said his brother and sister-in-law shared a special bond.
“They were inseparable,” he said.
Compounding the family’s loss is the earlier death of the Derochers’ father, Donald A. Derocher, who passed away at age 96, just two days before the son who shared his first name.
The family will proceed with the senior Donald A. Derocher’s funeral Friday but will first gather on Thanksgiving.
Bob Derocher said, “We’ll have a moment of silence in honor of Josephine, my brother Donald, and my Dad.”
Source: http://westhartford.patch.com
“The day he stopped flying is the day there’ll be a hole in the sky,” was the phrase, his brother Bob said Wednesday.
It was Monday evening when the plane piloted by Donald J. Derocher, 73, crashed into the top of Onion Mountain in Canton, killing Derocher and wife Josephine, 74.
“Now I guess there’s a hole in the sky,” Bob Derocher said.
Bob Derocher said he is still shocked about the accident. His brother was “meticulous” about keeping the plane up to date and running and had numerous years' experience flying that route and others many times, even at night.
“I really couldn’t believe it; he’s such a good pilot,” Bob Derocher said.
The Derocher brothers grew up with five siblings in the Hartford area.
Donald and Josephine later lived in Tolland for many years before moving to Windsor Locks for a short time and then to Florida approximately three years ago, Bob Derocher said.
The couple had two kids, including a daughter who now lives in Canton, according to Bob Derocher.
In Florida, Donald Derocher love to disc jockey for senior centers. He also played bass and loved country and western music, Bob Derocher said.
Bob Derocher said his brother and sister-in-law shared a special bond.
“They were inseparable,” he said.
Compounding the family’s loss is the earlier death of the Derochers’ father, Donald A. Derocher, who passed away at age 96, just two days before the son who shared his first name.
The family will proceed with the senior Donald A. Derocher’s funeral Friday but will first gather on Thanksgiving.
Bob Derocher said, “We’ll have a moment of silence in honor of Josephine, my brother Donald, and my Dad.”
Source: http://westhartford.patch.com
Live Oak, FL - Dana Brindle is the facilities manager at the Suwannee County Airport. He knew the Derochers for years.
"She was a good lady; really good lady," said Brindle. "Don was a good guy and he really looked after her quite a bit."
Don was a member of the local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 797 where fellow pilots met.
"On the pancake breakfast [Don] would be the one that would cook up the eggs and flip the jacks."
Friends say the couple were inseparable and Don spent a lot of his time volunteering at the EAA. He even helped construct the flag pole at the area chapter.
"He's been right in there he'd pick up a hammer a paint brush whatever had to be done he was right there for them."
It could be months before the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board figure out what went wrong on the couple's last flight.
The following is a link to the EAA Chapter 797 website
http://www.eaa797.org/
CANTON, Conn. -- November 20, 2012
A husband and wife from Florida have been killed in a small plane crash in a wooded area in Connecticut.
The couple was found dead inside the single-engine aircraft in Canton on Monday night.
Canton police said the victims were 73-year-old Donald Derocher and 74-year-old Josephine Derocher. Police Chief Christopher Arciero said they were living in Live Oak, Fla., but were flying to Connecticut to visit family.
Arciero said Federal Aviation Administration investigators are on the scene and a team from the National Transportation Safety Board is expected later Tuesday.
A state police helicopter located the wreck on a ridge after the FAA notified Simsbury Airport that the plane, which was tracked by Bradley International Airport, had dropped from the radar.
The plane was registered to Donald Derocher.
http://www.wctv.tv
CANTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- It was a tragic end for a Florida couple who died in a small plane crash in Canton Monday night.
News 8 has learned that the two former Canton residents were on their way to a funeral when the plane went down.
The crash scene, in the woods near the Canton and Simsbury line, is the reason Lori Savino's parents never showed up while she waiting for them at the airport.
"It was devastating," said Mafalda Savino. "I couldn't say anything, they couldn't say anything, all we did was cry."
Savino is talking about her conversation with her son Steven and daughter-in-law Lori. She didn't want to show her face, but talked about the pain her loved ones are going through from the tragic crash.
Lori's parents, 73-year-old Donald Derocher and 74-year-old Josephine Derocher flew the plane from Florida with a stop in Pennsylvania, but never made it. As if that isn't heartbreaking enough, the couple was flying to CT to attend Mr. Derocher's 96-year-old father's funeral.
"I said 'oh my god' that was more than what I expected," Savino said. "Three people."
Canton police say Bradley International airport air traffic reported lost radar contact. About two hours later, a State Police helicopter then located the aircraft on top of the ridge known as Onion Mountain. About 20 minutes later, they were able to get to the site.
"Believe it or not they had to cut their way through the trees and brush to get there," said Captain Lawrence Terra, Canton PD.
When they did, they found the crashed plane, the couple, and their belongings.
"What comes next is gonna be hard, especially for my daughter-in-law," said Savino. "She's broken up, naturally."
http://www.wtnh.com
The wreckage of a Piper PA-28-180 that crashed on Onion Mountain, killing two.
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Police and firefighters are searching for a plane that went down on its way to Bradley International Airport.
Photo Credit: John Fitts
Canton Police have identified the two victims of a small plane crash on Monday night as Donald Derocher, 73, and Josephine Derocher, 74.
Police said they were one-time Canton residents who were flying in from out-of-state. The preliminary FAA report on the crash said the couple lived in Live Oak, Florida.
The single-engine airplane plane crashed on Onion Mountain in Canton, according to Canton police. The FAA said the plane was a 1965 Piper, fixed-wing single-engine plane owned by Donald Derocher, who was the pilot.
Canton police said the incident was reported at approximately 8 p.m. after Bradley International Airport Traffic Control reported they lost radar contact with the plane, according to a Canton Police press release.
Aided by a state helicopter Monday night, numerous crews from the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department searched the woods off of Red Fox Run while crews in Simsbury were searching off Quorn Hunt Road.
The wreckage was found with the assistance of a state police helicopter
On the Canton side, firefighters largely blazed a new path into the woods and had to cut down some trees and navigate moss-covered rocks. Some old logging roads cut through the area but much of the trail was through unmarked areas. Police were also on scene.
"They actually had to cut their way through the trees and brush," Canton Police Capt. Lawrence Terra said. "They did a good job."
The plane was located and initially LifeStar was called but soon canceled.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident further.
http://westhartford.patch.com
http://www.rep-am.com
2 dead in plane crash that left from Oxford
Missing Aircraft Found On Ridge In Canton; Two Found Dead
Two Killed in Canton Plane Crash
.
Police search between Morris and Simsbury for missing airplane
The couple was found dead inside the single-engine aircraft in Canton on Monday night.
Canton police said the victims were 73-year-old Donald Derocher and 74-year-old Josephine Derocher. Police Chief Christopher Arciero said they were living in Live Oak, Fla., but were flying to Connecticut to visit family.
Arciero said Federal Aviation Administration investigators are on the scene and a team from the National Transportation Safety Board is expected later Tuesday.
A state police helicopter located the wreck on a ridge after the FAA notified Simsbury Airport that the plane, which was tracked by Bradley International Airport, had dropped from the radar.
The plane was registered to Donald Derocher.
CANTON -- A pilot and passenger were killed in a small plane crash in a wooded area in Canton late Monday.
A man and a woman were found on board the plane which crashed into a wooded area known as Onion Mountain. Their names have not been released, but the two were the only passengers, according to a Federal Aviation Administration report.
The plane, a 1965 PA-28 Cherokee, is registered to Donald J. Derocher of Live Oak, Fla., according to the FAA.
An FAA spokesman said that the plane was headed to Simsbury Airport, but it's departure location was unclear.
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board will begin its investigation later today, the spokesman said.
The FAA notified Simsbury Airport that the plane, which was tracked by Bradley International Airport, had dropped from the radar.
Searchers combing an area between Morris and Simsbury late Monday located the wreckage of a small airplane on a ridge in Canton shortly after 11 p.m.
Firefighters said the plane was found in a rugged area of Canton, which borders Simsbury to the west. Rescuers early today were trying to reach the site.
Two Life Star helicopters were dispatched to the scene, but were canceled.
Matthew J. Kelly, manager of Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Oxford, disputed reports that the plane originated from there.
"It had nothing to do with it," said Kelly, who was in Canton helping officials at the crash scene.
He said the plane may have left an airport south of Oxford, but he did not know which one.
He also did not know where the plane was supposed to land, but there were reports it was headed to a small airfield in Simsbury called Simsbury Airport.
Lt. J. Paul Vance, state police spokesman, said state police were contacted by officials at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks shortly after 8 p.m. to report an aircraft had disappeared from radar.
Vance said state police initially searched a grid between Morris, Simsbury and Bradley Airport.
"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," he said.
He said there were no reports of a crash or fire to state police anywhere in the grid area.
Trooper 1, the state police helicopter, spotted the plane on the ridge in Canton around 11 p.m., and was shining its bright spotlight on the crash scene to help rescuers.
CANTON, CONNECTICUT -- A pilot and passenger were killed in a small plane crash in a wooded area in Canton.
The single-engine plane with a man and a woman on board was found late Monday night. Their identities have not been released.
The Federal Aviation Administration notified Simsbury Airport at that the plane, which was tracked by Bradley International Airport, had dropped from the radar. The plane had left from Waterbury-Oxford airport around 7 p.m. It was located by State Police helicopter on a ridge around 10:30 p.m. near the Canton/Simsbury town line. It took first responders at least a half-hour to reach the wreckage in the deep woods.
The plane struck the hillside of Onion Mountain, a 900-foot ridge of trap rock created by lava flows.
State Police troopers, some using the department's helicopter, searched the area surrounding Morris. No explosions or fires in the area were reported.
Mike Safranek, assistant administrator of Danbury Municipal Airport, said the plane was reported missing when it dropped off the radar system operated by Bradley International Airport.
Safranek added that members of the Civil Air Patrol are often called upon as part of their mission to confirm or deny a downed aircraft. Members of the patrol use either visual confirmation or search for a signal from the plane's emergency locator transponder.
Simsbury airport is a non-towered public use airport, maintained and operated by the nonprofit Simsbury Flying Club for members and transient general aviation aircraft. Its single runway is about 2,200 feet long. Oxford airport, operated by the state of Connecticut, has a 5,800 runway and has a control tower.
The plane crashed in the Simsbury-owned Onion Mountain Park. The heavily-wooded 190-acre park has hiking trails and a steep ridge.The park is located several miles south of Simsbury airport.
The rust-colored ridges are common through central Connecticut and Massachusetts. According to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the steep ridges were formed by broad, liquid outpourings of lava millions of years ago. Three major lava flows covered the central Connecticut valley floor. Each one cooled and hardened into traprock (also called basalt) and was gradually covered by sand and mud eroded from the surrounding hills.
CANTON —— Two people were killed Monday night when their small plane crashed on a ridge in Canton.
The aircraft was headed to Simsbury Airport Monday evening when air traffic controllers at Bradley International Airport reported that it dropped off radar. A search began and about 10:20 p.m. state troopers in a helicopter spotted the aircraft on Onion Mountain in Canton.
About 20 minutes later rescuers on the ground were able to reach the aircraft, Canton police said. Both occupants were dead, police said. Police did not release the names of those aboard the aircraft.
The plane was headed from Waterbury-Oxford Airport when it struck the ridge to Simsbury when it was reported overdue.
Canton police said the Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the accident.
Onion Mountain is a ridge just east of Gracey Road and Sextons Hollow Road and rises about 800 feet. It is 7 to 8 miles southwest of Simsbury Airport.
Bill Thomas, the manager of Simsbury Airport, said he received a phone call about 7 p.m. from air traffic control indicating that an airplane was approaching the airport, but that the plane had been lost on the radar.
SIMSBURY, CT (WFSB) - A small plane bound for the Simsbury Airport has been located, crashed into a ridge on the Canton/Simsbury town line killing two people.
Rescue crews located the plane after searching for more than two hours in the heavily wooded area near Onion Mountain State Park. The aircraft was eventually spotted with the help of Trooper-1, a state police helicopter, at about 10:45 p.m.
According to officials from the FAA, the small plane was being tracked by Bradley International Airport air traffic control and dropped off the radar before reaching the airport.
Both Lifestar helicopters were dispatched to the scene and subsequently canceled a short time after.
Two people were killed in a plane crash Monday night after their airplane went missing off the radar about 8 miles outside of Simsbury Airport.
The F.A.A. reached out to the Simsbury Airport around 7:30 p.m. to report that a plane headed towards Bradley International Airport had gone missing from the radar. CT State Police initially began searching for the plane in an area between Morris and Windsor Locks and located the wreckage just before 10:30 p.m.
A State Police helicopter located the plane on top of a ridge off Gracey Rd. known as Onion Mountain in Canton. It took emergency crew about 20 minutes to reach the plane because it is in a heavily wooded area and is difficult to reach.
Initial reports are that the victims are a male and female. Police are not releasing their ID's right now but officials also say the plane was registered in Florida.
