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December 5, 2003 · Cessna 525 · N15C

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 5, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 525
Tail Number
N15C
Operator
Polestar Labs
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX04LA058

The airplane veered off the runway during a night landing in instrument conditions and collided with ground obstructions. The weather conditions included a visibility of less than 1/4-mile in fog, with a vertical visibility of 100 feet. The pilot stated he was able to see the field while intercepting the instrument approach course at 3,000 feet msl. Using instruments for the approach, he was still able to maintain visual contact through the 100- to 200-foot-thick layer of fog, when he reached 200 feet agl. After descending, he lost visual contact with the runway, and everything became black. He started to move the levers up for a go-around, but noticed two red lights to his left. He thought he was too close to the ground and too slow, so he decided to land. The airplane touched down on the runway a second or two later. The pilot did not maintain directional control and the airplane veered to the left. It crossed an unpaved area, then hit and crossed a taxiway. The pavement lip edge broke the nose wheel off. The airplane continued onto another unpaved area and came to rest. It was about 50 feet to the left of runway 28R, and about 100 feet to the right of runway 5. The airplane also incurred damage to the nose gear fork assembly, pressure vessel, and to frame members. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he initiated a go-around when he lost visual contact with the runway. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and to initiate a timely go-around when visual contact with the runway was lost.

Full Narrative

On December 4, 2003, about 2015 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 525, N15C, experienced a loss of control during landing and sheared the nose gear off in a collision with a taxiway pavement lip edge at Montgomery Field Airport, San Diego, California. Polestar Labs Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed the Mahlon Sweet Field Airport, Eugene, Oregon, about 1800, with a planned destination of San Diego. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated he was able to see the field while intercepting the instrument approach course at 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). Using instruments for the approach, he was still able to maintain visual contact through the 100-200 feet of fog, when he reached 200 feet above ground level (agl). After descending, he lost visual contact with the runway, and everything became black. He started to move the levers up for a go-around, but noticed two red lights to his left. He thought he was too close to the ground and too slow, so he decided to land. The airplane touched down on the runway a second or two later. The pilot did not maintain directional control and the airplane veered to the left. It crossed an unpaved area, then hit and crossed a taxiway. The pavement lip edge broke the nose wheel off. The airplane continued onto another unpaved area and came to rest. It was about 50 feet to the left of runway 28R, and about 100 feet to the right of runway 5. The airplane also incurred damage to the nose gear fork assembly, pressure vessel, and to frame members. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for Montgomery Field Airport was issued at 2018. It stated: skies partially obscured with fog; vertical visibility of 100 feet; visibility less than 1/4 mile; winds from 350 degrees at 3 knots; temperature 52 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 52 degrees Fahrenheit; and altimeter 30.06 inHg. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he initiated a go-around when he lost visual contact with the runway. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 PST
Nearest AirportSANDIEGO (0nm NNE)
Runway28R
Runway Length4577 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 525
Tail NumberN15C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPolestar Labs
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsWilliams International · FJ44-1A · Turbofan · 1900 | Williams International · FJ44-1A · Turbofan · 1900
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 35 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind350° @ 3 kt
Visibility0.2 sm
CeilingVertical visibility 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 52
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time04:18
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data