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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 7, 1997 · Cessna 182C · N8522T

Hardin, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 7, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hardin, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 182C
Tail Number
N8522T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA131

The student pilot turned onto final approach for runway 4 just after 0600 hours and found that his approach was directly into the early morning sunrise. He reported that he 'could no longer see (his) instrument panel or the runway.' He said he then 'added power to go around' and that 'the next thing was the sound of the airplane hitting the ground.' The pilot reported that he waited too long to abort the landing. The sun's angle of elevation was determined to be 5.23 degrees above the horizon, and the angle of azimuth was determined to be 48.41 degrees magnetic.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student's delay in initiating a go-around. A factor relating to the accident was: the sunglare.

Full Narrative

On June 7, 1997, approximately 0602 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182C, N8522T, registered to and being flown by a student pilot, was substantially damaged during collision with terrain while executing a go-around at the Fairgrounds Airpark, Hardin, Montana. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was to have been a supervised solo, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Sheridan, Wyoming, approximately 0520. The 71 year old pilot reported that he was following a friend on the cross country flight to Hardin and that upon final approach to landing on runway 04 (CHART I) he found that his final approach was directly into the early morning sunrise. He reported that he "could no longer see (his) instrument panel or the runway." He reported that he then "added power to go around" and that "the next thing was the sound of the airplane hitting the ground." The pilot also reported to the Safety Board (page 4, "Recommendation" NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that "the sun was in my eyes, I became disoriented, (and) waited too long to abort (the) landing." Calculations based on the latitude and longitude of the Hardin airport and the time of 0602MDT on June 7, 1997, provided a sun angle of elevation of 5.23 degrees above the horizon and a sun azimuth angle of 62.42 degrees from true north (48.41 degrees magnetic).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:02 MDT
Nearest AirportFairgrounds Airpark (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length3542 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182C
Tail NumberN8522T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind290° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data