Beech A36 accident near Bridgeport, Connecticut, December 24, 1988
On December 24, 1988 at about 6:45 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N262C, was destroyed in an accident near Bridgeport, Connecticut (Sikorsky Mem. airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 24, 1988 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Bridgeport, Connecticut · Sikorsky Mem.
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N262C · registry record · serial E-1650
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
TWICE PRIOR TO BEING ESTABLISHED ON FINAL THE PILOT WAS ASKED IF HE WAS GETTING PROPER INDICATIONS FOR THE APPROACH TO LAND. CONTACT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY LOST WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE AN ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 06 AT BRIDGEPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND IN THE WATER JANUARY 3, 1989. THE PILOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE WRECKAGE BY DIVERS, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE WRECKAGE WAS 1 1/2 MILES OFF THE RWY'S END, 1500-2000 FT RT OF CENTERLINE.
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: 1,550 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental I0-520-BB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BVT Burlington VT at 6:10 pm
- Destination: Laconia NH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 6, 4,677 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 6 knots
- Sky: not recorded
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:00 pm from BVT
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.
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.