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NTSB Report
November 12, 1991 · Cessna 170B · N8172A
Lake Havasu, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 12, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lake Havasu, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N8172A
Operator
Howard Pl Orlebeke
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX92LA044
DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO A NEW AND UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT, THE PILOT UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO ESTABLISH FLIGHT FOLLOWING AND OBTAIN CURRENT ALTIMENTER SETTINGS. HE FLEW OVER THE AIRPORT AND ENTERED A TRAFFIC PATTERN. DURING THE TRUN FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH, WITH THE RUNWAY LIGHTS IN SIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ONE AND ONE QUARTER MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT DID NOT TURN ON THE AIRCRAFT LANDING LIGHT. FAA RECORDS INDICATE THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING. THE VFR AERONAUTICAL CHART DID NOT SHOW THE NEW AIRPORT. THE OLD AIRPORT ELEVATION IS 483 FT MSL, AND THE NEW AIRPORT IS 780 FT MSL. THE CHART DEPICTING THE NEW AIRPORT BECAME EFFECTIVE 3 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. FAA PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT A NOTAM IN EFFECT CONTAINED INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THE NEW AIRPORT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS ALTIMETER INDICATED 1,000 FT MSL.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S; 1) INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION, 2) FAILURE TO OBTAIN CURRENT NOTAM INFORMATION, AND 3) FAILURE TO OBTAIN A CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION AND THE PILOT ELECTION NOT TO USE THE LANDING LIGHT.
Full Narrative
DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO A NEW AND UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT, THE PILOT UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO ESTABLISH FLIGHT FOLLOWING AND OBTAIN CURRENT ALTIMENTER SETTINGS. HE FLEW OVER THE AIRPORT AND ENTERED A TRAFFIC PATTERN. DURING THE TRUN FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH, WITH THE RUNWAY LIGHTS IN SIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ONE AND ONE QUARTER MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT DID NOT TURN ON THE AIRCRAFT LANDING LIGHT. FAA RECORDS INDICATE THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING. THE VFR AERONAUTICAL CHART DID NOT SHOW THE NEW AIRPORT. THE OLD AIRPORT ELEVATION IS 483 FT MSL, AND THE NEW AIRPORT IS 780 FT MSL. THE CHART DEPICTING THE NEW AIRPORT BECAME EFFECTIVE 3 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. FAA PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT A NOTAM IN EFFECT CONTAINED INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THE NEW AIRPORT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS ALTIMETER INDICATED 1,000 FT MSL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 MST
Nearest AirportHavasu City (1nm SE)
Runway32
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN8172A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHoward Pl Orlebeke
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind360° @ 3 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO