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NTSB Report
October 10, 1985 · Gulfstream 690A · N254PW
Cadillac, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Cadillac, MI
Aircraft
Gulfstream 690A
Tail Number
N254PW
Operator
Thomas Wiles
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA007
THE ACFT WAS CLEARED FOR AN NDB APPROACH TO CADILLAC. THE WKWAS 300 FT OVCST, 1 MILE VIS. SHORTLY AFTER CANCELLING IFR THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ARPT FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY. THE PILOT ACTIVATED RWY LIGHTS WERE NEVER TURNED ON DURING THE APPROACH. IT WAS A NEWLY COMMISSIONED SYSTEM NOT YET ON APPROACH PLATES. THEY WERE ON A NOTAM. AN NTAP REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS FOLLOWING THE RNAV FINAL APPROACH COURSE RATHER THAN THE NDB FINAL APPROACH COURSE. IN ADDITION, A LIGHTED CHRISTMAS TREE FARM WAS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT. LASTLY, NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION COULD BE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS CLEARED FOR AN NDB APPROACH TO CADILLAC. THE WKWAS 300 FT OVCST, 1 MILE VIS. SHORTLY AFTER CANCELLING IFR THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ARPT FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY. THE PILOT ACTIVATED RWY LIGHTS WERE NEVER TURNED ON DURING THE APPROACH. IT WAS A NEWLY COMMISSIONED SYSTEM NOT YET ON APPROACH PLATES. THEY WERE ON A NOTAM. AN NTAP REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS FOLLOWING THE RNAV FINAL APPROACH COURSE RATHER THAN THE NDB FINAL APPROACH COURSE. IN ADDITION, A LIGHTED CHRISTMAS TREE FARM WAS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT. LASTLY, NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION COULD BE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:50 EDT
Nearest AirportWexford County (1nm W)
Runway25
Runway Length4542 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGulfstream 690A
Tail NumberN254PW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThomas Wiles
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE331-5-252K · Turboprop · 715
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind40° @ 1 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT