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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

June 7, 1989 · Cessna 172 · N63535

Pine Bluff, AR

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 7, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pine Bluff, AR
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N63535
Operator
Kummer Richard
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89LA127

THE PLT SAID THAT DURING AN ILS RWY 17 ARRIVAL AT NIGHT, HE WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS BY KEYING HIS RADIO. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT THE ROTATING BEACON WAS NOT OPERATING. HE STATED THAT HIS INSTRUMENTS SHOWED THE ACFT WAS ON THE CENTERLINE OF THE LOCALIZER, SO HE CONTINUED THE ILS APCH. HOWEVER, THE LANDING OCCURRED ABOUT 50 TO 75 FT LEFT OF THE RUNWAY ON SOFT TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. THE ARPT WAS IN VFR CONDITIONS. ABOUT 1 HR AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE ARPT MANAGER CHECKED THE RADIO ACTIVATED RUNWAY LIGHTS AND FOUND THEM TO WORK PROPERLY.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT BY CONTINUING THE APPROACH WHEN THE RUNWAY LIGHTS DID NOT ACTIVATE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: DARK NIGHT AND SOFT TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

THE PLT SAID THAT DURING AN ILS RWY 17 ARRIVAL AT NIGHT, HE WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS BY KEYING HIS RADIO. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT THE ROTATING BEACON WAS NOT OPERATING. HE STATED THAT HIS INSTRUMENTS SHOWED THE ACFT WAS ON THE CENTERLINE OF THE LOCALIZER, SO HE CONTINUED THE ILS APCH. HOWEVER, THE LANDING OCCURRED ABOUT 50 TO 75 FT LEFT OF THE RUNWAY ON SOFT TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. THE ARPT WAS IN VFR CONDITIONS. ABOUT 1 HR AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE ARPT MANAGER CHECKED THE RADIO ACTIVATED RUNWAY LIGHTS AND FOUND THEM TO WORK PROPERLY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:15 CDT
Nearest AirportGrider Field (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length5998 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN63535
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKummer Richard
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:52
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data