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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

November 21, 1993 · Mooney M20B · N6405Q

Santa Paula, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 21, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Santa Paula, CA
Aircraft
Mooney M20B
Tail Number
N6405Q
Operator
Hellner John F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA055

THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A NIGHT VISUAL FLIGHT RULES PERSONAL FLIGHT AT HIS HOME AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A RUNWAY/AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM AND NIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT BECAME DISTRACTED BY TWO AUTOMOBILES NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THIS DISTRACTION CAUSED THE PILOT TO DESCEND BELOW THE NORMAL GLIDE PATH. WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED HE WAS TOO LOW, HE BEGAN A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK A POWER POLE GUY WIRE AS IT BEGAN TO CLIMB.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES PROHIBITING NIGHT OPERATIONS AT THE AIRPORT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH. THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On November 20, 1993, at 1915 hours Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20B, N6405Q, collided with a power pole guy wire while on final approach to runway 04 at Santa Paula Airport, Santa Paula, California. The pilot was competing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Whiteman Airport, Pacoima, California, at 1855 hours. Mr. Thomas Mangum, Principal Operations Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Van Nuys [California] Flight Standards District Office, reported that the pilot admitted that "he was too low" while on final approach to the airport. Inspector Mangum reported that 24 inches of the airplane's left wing severed when it struck the power pole guy wire. The pilot told Inspector Mangum that he purchased the airplane on November 5, 1993. Inspector Mangum said that the pilot was not listed as the registered owner in the FAA Aircraft Records Section, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Inspector Mangum also said that the airplane is based at Santa Paula Airport. The pilot said that clear skies existed, but that it was a dark night. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, to the National Transportation Safety Board. The pilot stated in the report that while on final approach he became distracted by two automobiles with their lights on that were near the approach end of the runway. He said that this distraction caused him to allow the airplane to get too low. When the pilot realized he was too low, he added power and began a go-around. As the airplane began to climb, its left wing struck the power pole guy wire. Santa Paula Airport is not equipped with any runway lighting systems. According to the Department of Commerce, Airport/Facility Directory, night operations at Santa Paula Airport are prohibited.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 PST
Nearest AirportSanta Paula (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length2650 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20B
Tail NumberN6405Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHellner John F
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data