Socata TB 21-TC accident near Binghamton, New York, November 18, 2004
On November 18, 2004 at about 12:51 pm local time, a Socata TB 21-TC, registered N55510, was substantially damaged in an accident near Binghamton, New York (Binghamton Regional/Edwin A Li airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper IFR procedure by his flight below the decision altitude, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 18, 2004 · about 12:51 pm local time
- Place
- Binghamton, New York · Binghamton Regional/Edwin A Li · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Socata TB 21-TC · all TB 21-TCs on the register
- Registration
- N55510 · registry record · serial 1252
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The reported ceilings were 200 feet overcast, and the pilot continued with the ILS Runway 34 approach. During the approach the airplane was "low and off centerline," the pilot initiated the missed approach procedure, and the airplane struck trees during the climb. The airplane continued to climb, and the pilot returned to his departure airport and completed a safe landing. The pilot reported that the airplane's handling and performance were "great," and that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. When asked what led to the collision with trees, he responded, "Pilot error; I'm not blaming anyone but me."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,307 hours in all; 345 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AB1AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AVP Wilkes-Barre/Sc PA
- Destination: BGM Binghamton NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 34
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N55510 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.