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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 8, 1986 · Beech A-36 · N6650Y

Visalia, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Visalia, CA
Aircraft
Beech A-36
Tail Number
N6650Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA342

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED MONTEREY AIRPORT, MONTEREY, CA ON A VFR NIGHT FLIGHT. THE PLT ENTERED THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 30 AND OBSERVED AN AIRPLANE DEPART ON THE RUNWAY AT WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS ABOUT MIDFIELD. THE AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH SHE REALIZED THAT SHE HAD MISTAKEN THE APPROACH LIGHTS FOR THE RUNWAY LIGHTS. SHE TURNED TO HER HUSBAND WHO WAS OCCUPYING A REAR SEAT AND STATED THAT SHE WAS IN TROUBLE. AT THIS TIME THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED AND SHE THEN PUSHED THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE DOWNWARD. THE AIRPLANE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY COLLIDED WITH THE APPROACH LIGHTS AND CRASHED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY PREIMACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

Full Narrative

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED MONTEREY AIRPORT, MONTEREY, CA ON A VFR NIGHT FLIGHT. THE PLT ENTERED THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 30 AND OBSERVED AN AIRPLANE DEPART ON THE RUNWAY AT WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS ABOUT MIDFIELD. THE AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH SHE REALIZED THAT SHE HAD MISTAKEN THE APPROACH LIGHTS FOR THE RUNWAY LIGHTS. SHE TURNED TO HER HUSBAND WHO WAS OCCUPYING A REAR SEAT AND STATED THAT SHE WAS IN TROUBLE. AT THIS TIME THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED AND SHE THEN PUSHED THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE DOWNWARD. THE AIRPLANE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY COLLIDED WITH THE APPROACH LIGHTS AND CRASHED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY PREIMACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 PDT
Nearest AirportVISALIA (1nm ESE)
Runway30
Runway Length6556 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A-36
Tail NumberN6650Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BB · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data