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NTSB Report
February 1, 1993 · Piper PA-31 · N16SC
Columbia, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Columbia, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31
Tail Number
N16SC
Operator
Richard L Stockton
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA109
THE PILOT SAID THAT HE TURNED ON A ONE TO ONE AND ONE HALF MILE BASE FOR RUNWAY 35 AND KEYED HIS MICROPHONE TO ACTIVATE THE PILOT CONTROLLED LIGHTING SYSTEM. THE PILOT SAID THAT ON FINAL APPROACH HE NOTICED THAT THE VASI LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. HE FURTHER REPORTED THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE ON FINAL APPROACH UNTIL ABOUT 200 FEET AGL WHEN HE SAID HE BECAME AWARE OF A LOSS IN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BEGAN APPLYING POWER TO CORRECT THE SITUATION AND THEN OBSERVED A TREE TOP PASS THE COPILOTS WINDOW. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT WING HAD COLLIDED WITH THE TREE. AN FAA INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE TREE CONTACTED BY THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 30 FEET TALL AND LOCATED ABOUT 600 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS WHICH MAY HAVE AFFECTED THE PILOT'S PERCEPTUAL AWARENESS OF THE AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT AND THE CUES FOR A PROPER VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE GUIDANCE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT SAID THAT HE TURNED ON A ONE TO ONE AND ONE HALF MILE BASE FOR RUNWAY 35 AND KEYED HIS MICROPHONE TO ACTIVATE THE PILOT CONTROLLED LIGHTING SYSTEM. THE PILOT SAID THAT ON FINAL APPROACH HE NOTICED THAT THE VASI LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. HE FURTHER REPORTED THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE ON FINAL APPROACH UNTIL ABOUT 200 FEET AGL WHEN HE SAID HE BECAME AWARE OF A LOSS IN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BEGAN APPLYING POWER TO CORRECT THE SITUATION AND THEN OBSERVED A TREE TOP PASS THE COPILOTS WINDOW. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT WING HAD COLLIDED WITH THE TREE. AN FAA INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE TREE CONTACTED BY THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 30 FEET TALL AND LOCATED ABOUT 600 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:30 PST
Nearest AirportCOLUMBIA (0nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length4060 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31
Tail NumberN16SC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard L Stockton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-A2B · Reciprocating · 310
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind80° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT