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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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May 30, 1989 · Piper PA-22-135 · N2124A

Medina, OH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Medina, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-135
Tail Number
N2124A
Operator
David L Hartley
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89LA153

DURING THE NIGHT LANDING APCH, THE PLT NOTED RWY 9-27 WAS CLOSED. THE ARPT DIRECTORY NOTES RWY 9-27 CLOSED AT NIGHT, RWY 18- 36 HAS LIRL, AND THERE IS A DISPLACED THRESHOLD OF 120 FT FOR RWY 18 BECAUSE OF PARKED ACFT. NO MENTION IS MADE OF POWER LINES AND A UTILITY POLE AT THE NORTH END OF THE ARPT. IT WAS CALCULATED THAT A GLIDE SLOPE OF 3.1 DEGS FROM THE RWY DISPLACED THRESHOLD WOULD INTERSECT THE TOP OF THE UTILITY POLE WHICH WAS ALIGNED WITH THE RWY CENTERLINE. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE POWER LINES DURING THE LANDING APCH. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE RWY 18 THRESHOLD, AND THE THRESHOLD LIGHTS WERE DISPLACED FURTHER AWAY FROM THE POWER LINES.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF AIRPORT MANAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH A DISPLACED THRESHOLD WHICH WOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE POWER LINES, THE UTILITY POLE AND THE DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

DURING THE NIGHT LANDING APCH, THE PLT NOTED RWY 9-27 WAS CLOSED. THE ARPT DIRECTORY NOTES RWY 9-27 CLOSED AT NIGHT, RWY 18- 36 HAS LIRL, AND THERE IS A DISPLACED THRESHOLD OF 120 FT FOR RWY 18 BECAUSE OF PARKED ACFT. NO MENTION IS MADE OF POWER LINES AND A UTILITY POLE AT THE NORTH END OF THE ARPT. IT WAS CALCULATED THAT A GLIDE SLOPE OF 3.1 DEGS FROM THE RWY DISPLACED THRESHOLD WOULD INTERSECT THE TOP OF THE UTILITY POLE WHICH WAS ALIGNED WITH THE RWY CENTERLINE. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE POWER LINES DURING THE LANDING APCH. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE RWY 18 THRESHOLD, AND THE THRESHOLD LIGHTS WERE DISPLACED FURTHER AWAY FROM THE POWER LINES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:35 EDT
Nearest AirportFreedom Field (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length3040 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-135
Tail NumberN2124A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDavid L Hartley
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D2 · Reciprocating · 135
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind30° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data