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NTSB Report
June 7, 1987 · Cessna 120 · N76546
Fresno, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fresno, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N76546
Operator
Phillip F Stotts
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA228
A CESSNA 120 LANDED LEFT OF THE RUNWAY ON A ROUGH DIRT AREA AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE AIRPORT IS NOT LIGHTED. THE RUNWAY IS EQUIPPED WITH WHITE REFLECTORS AND THE TAXIWAYS ARE EQUIPPED WITH AMBER REFLECTORS. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE DIFFERENCE IN THE COLORED REFLECTORS WHILE IN FLIGHT. THE PILOT ALIGNED THE AIRCRAFT WITH AMBER PARALLEL TAXIWAY REFLECTORS ON THE LEFT AND WHITE RUNWAY REFLECTORS ON THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON A PERPENDICULAR TAXIWAY JUST PAST AMBER REFLECTORS WHICH APPEARED TO BE RUNWAY END MARKINGS. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OUT ACROSS THE PERPENDICULAR TAXIWAY AND NOSED OVER IN THE ROUGH DIRT AREA BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY.
Full Narrative
A CESSNA 120 LANDED LEFT OF THE RUNWAY ON A ROUGH DIRT AREA AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE AIRPORT IS NOT LIGHTED. THE RUNWAY IS EQUIPPED WITH WHITE REFLECTORS AND THE TAXIWAYS ARE EQUIPPED WITH AMBER REFLECTORS. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE DIFFERENCE IN THE COLORED REFLECTORS WHILE IN FLIGHT. THE PILOT ALIGNED THE AIRCRAFT WITH AMBER PARALLEL TAXIWAY REFLECTORS ON THE LEFT AND WHITE RUNWAY REFLECTORS ON THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON A PERPENDICULAR TAXIWAY JUST PAST AMBER REFLECTORS WHICH APPEARED TO BE RUNWAY END MARKINGS. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OUT ACROSS THE PERPENDICULAR TAXIWAY AND NOSED OVER IN THE ROUGH DIRT AREA BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:50 PDT
Nearest AirportSierra Sky Park (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length2920 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN76546
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhillip F Stotts
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:50
Weather SourceWFAC