Boeing A75L3 accident near Groton, Connecticut, June 30, 1990
On June 30, 1990 at about 6:44 pm local time, a Boeing A75L3, registered N1205V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Groton, Connecticut (Groton airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
AN IMPACT WITH THE GROUND FOLLOWING AN IMPROPERLY EXECUTED ROLL WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 1990 · about 6:44 pm local time
- Place
- Groton, Connecticut · Groton
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing A75L3 · all A75L3s on the register
- Registration
- N1205V · no longer on the register · serial 75-1779
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AT AN AIRSHOW AND MADE A ROLL TO THE LEFT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF. WHILE INVERTED THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO LOOSE ALTITUDE AND CHANGED DIRECTION TO THE RIGHT FROM THE ORIGINAL FLIGHT PATH. THE ROLL CONTINUED ON THE NEW HEADING AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED ON A TAXIWAY IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE UPPER LEFT WING AND LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME. WHEN THE AIRPLANE DEVIATED FROM THE ROLL, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,400 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,717 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:45 pm from GON
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.