Groton, Connecticut – February 1, 1982
On February 1, 1982, Pilgrim Airlines Flight 466 left New York’s LaGuardia Airport with a crew of two, and five passengers aboard. The aircraft was a twin-engine Beechcraft 99.
The weather was raining and cloudy with a low ceiling, and strong gusty winds.
When the flight reached Groton-New London Airport at about 12:45 p.m. it was cleared to land. As the aircraft made its approach to Runway 5 from the southwest, a strong gust of wind forced it to crash in a marshy area about 100 feet before the end of the runway. The aircraft fuselage remained largely intact and there was no fire. Thick ground fog, along with mucky-icy conditions of the marshland, made it difficult for rescuers to locate and reach the aircraft. When they arrived at the scene, they found seven people hurt, three seriously. All were transported to medical facilities for treatment.
As a point of fact, another Pilgrim Airlines flight was awaiting landing instructions at the time of the accident, and was diverted to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.
Sources:
The Day, (New London, CT.), “7 Hurt, 3 Seriously In Plane Crash”, February 1, 1982, page 1. (With photo)
The Day, “Copilot Tried To Land In Strong Wind”, February 2, 1982, page 1
The Day, “Passenger describes Ordeal”, February 2, 1982, page 1
Providence Evening Bulletin, “Commuter Plane Crashes In Groton; 7 Hurt”, February 1, 1982, page A-13
Westerly Sun, (RI), “Investigators Seek Cause Of Groton Plane Crash”, February 2, 1982, page 13.
