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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

October 2, 1993 · Cessna 172 · N736RZ

Mt. Gilead, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Mt. Gilead, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N736RZ
Operator
Judson R Ashley
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC94LA003

THE PILOT COULD NOT ACTIVATE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS DURING A NIGHT LANDING. HE MADE TWO PASSES OVER THE RUNWAY TO SEE IF THE RUNWAY WAS CLEAR. HE THEN ELECTED TO LAND ON THE RUNWAY WITHOUT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS AVAILABLE. HE HAD COMPLETED THE LANDING AND DURING THE ROLL OUT THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE VASI LIGHT.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper inflight decision to conduct a night landing at an airport without runway lights, and the subsequent misalignment with the runway and collision with an object.

Full Narrative

On Friday, October 1, 1993, at about 2100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N736RZ, collided with a VASI light while landing at the Mt. Gilead Airport, Mt. Gilead, Ohio. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and the three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot had completed a night landing and heard a "thump." After deplaning, he observed damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. Further investigation revealed that the airplane had collided with VASI lights located off the side of the runway in the vicinity of the touchdown zone. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: ...runway lights not on UNICOM frequency, was not able to activate lights. Made 2 passes to check runway, landed runway 28...on flair landing lights raised, not illuminating runway. On roll out horizontal stabilizer struck VASI light...

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 EDT
Nearest AirportMorrow County (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length3497 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN736RZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJudson R Ashley
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360-K · Reciprocating · 195
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind240° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data