Pilot Error Cited in Deadly East Haven Plane Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board cited pilot error in a recent report regarding the deadly East Haven plane crash that killed four last year.

Former Microsoft executive William Henninsgaard was attempting a circle approach with a strong gust tailwind, according to the report. The airplane would’ve been near stall speed during the bank.

“Thus, it was likely the pilot encountered an aerodynamic stall as he was banking sharply, while flying in and out of clouds, trying to align the airplane with the runway,” wrote an investigator in the report.

There was no pre-impact evidence found of a mechanical malfunction and Henninsgaard had a sleep aid drug in his system, however, it was well below the range that would’ve had an effect.

The crash killed Henninsgaard, his 17-year-old son Maxwell and East HAven residents Sade Brantley, 13, and Madisyn Mitchell, 1.

Additional information from another report:

“The aircraft’s close proximity to runway 20 during the downwind leg of the approach would have required a tight turn onto final. The steep bank angle necessary for the turn combined with the aircraft’s low airspeed greatly increased the likelihood of stall, which would have occurred at a speed higher than the pilot would have expected.”

During the final 90 seconds of flight the aircraft maintained an altitude between 600 and 800 feet and airspeed was reduced from 140 knots to 100 knots and appeared to still be decreasing, according to the report.

In another report the NTSB noted that strong wind gusts were forecast during the day of the crash.

Photo from memorial held in August for the crash victims.

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