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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

November 9, 2004 · Swearingen SA226TC · N162WA

Boise, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Boise, ID
Aircraft
Swearingen SA226TC
Tail Number
N162WA
Operator
Transportation Syatems
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA05LA014

During a night instrument landing system (ILS) approach to minimums, the airplane collided with the runways approach lighting system. In a written report the pilot stated that during the transition from instruments to visual references he "apparently went below the glide slope and took out two approach lights." The weather conditions recorded 16 minutes after the time of the accident were: visibility 1/4 statute mile in fog; scattered clouds at 100 feet AGL (above ground level); overcast skies at 600 feet AGL. The published decision height/altitude for the straight-in ILS runway 10R approach at Boise is 3,036 feet above mean sea level (200 feet AGL). The published minimum visibility for a straight-in ILS approach is 1/2 mile or an RVR of 1,800 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the required glidepath, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance after visual contact with the runway during the instrument approach.

Full Narrative

On November 9, 2004, about 0420 mountain standard time, a Swearingen SA226TC, N162WA, sustained substantial damage after colliding with the runway 10R approach lighting system at the Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field), Boise, Idaho. The airplane is registered to Western Airlines LC of Boise, Idaho, and was being operated by Western Air Express as a domestic non-scheduled cargo flight under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions were reported at Boise at 0353 and 0436. The flight originated at Salt Lake City, Utah, (SLC) on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan at 0310. The pilot's flight planned destination was Boise, with Twin Falls, Idaho, as an alternate. In a written statement the pilot reported that while holding at the outer marker, the Boise tower advised him that the runway visual range (RVR) was 1800 and cleared him for the approach. The pilot stated that he "...picked up the glide slope, lowered the landing gear, and continued on normal descent. At approximately 250 AGL I picked up the glow of the rabbit, at 200 feet (3,036' [feet] on the altimeter) I looked outside and could see the rabbit and approach lights. I then continued to 100' [feet] where I could see the runway and continued to a normal landing. During my transition from instruments to visual at 2,936' [feet] I apparently went below the glide slope and took out two approach lights." The 0436 Boise SPECI METAR observation reported weather conditions, in part, as: visibility 1/4 statute mile in fog; scattered clouds at 100 feet AGL (above ground level); overcast skies at 600 feet AGL. The published decision height/altitude for the straight-in ILS runway 10R approach at Boise is 3,036 feet above mean sea level (200 feet AGL). The published minimum visibility for a straight-in ILS approach is 1/2 mile or an RVR of 1,800 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:20 PST
Nearest AirportBoise Air Terminal /Gowen Fld/ (3nm)
Runway10R
Runway Length9763 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSwearingen SA226TC
Tail NumberN162WA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTransportation Syatems
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331 · Turboprop · 840 | Garrett · TPE-331 · Turboprop · 840
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility0.2 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 36 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time11:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data