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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 19, 2007 · Mooney Aircraft M20K · N231KZ

Marysville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 19, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Marysville, CA
Aircraft
Mooney Aircraft M20K
Tail Number
N231KZ
Operator
David B Van Pelt
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA07LA079

After departing Runway 14 the pilot extended his downwind leg for an incoming airplane. After sighting the incoming traffic and turning onto final approach, the pilot observed an unlighted approach light bar immediately in front of him, which the airplane subsequently "clipped". The airplane then impacted two more light bar standards prior to impacting terrain and coming to rest upright about 1,000 feet from the approach end of Runway 14. The pilot stated that if he had not extended his downwind and had activated the pilot controlled lighting, the accident would have been avoided. The airplane's firewall and left wing sustained substantial damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain a proper glidepath while on final approach and his failure to maintain clearance, which resulted in an undershoot and subsequent collision with the runway's approach light standards. A factor was the approach light standards.

Full Narrative

On March 19, 2007, approximately 1615 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney Aircraft M20K, sustained substantial damage after impacting approach light standards and terrain while on final approach to Runway 14 at the Yuba County Airport (MYV), Marysville, California. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane departed MYV approximately 1605. In a telephone interview and in a written report submitted to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that the intent of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings. The pilot stated that after departing Runway 14 and on a left downwind at the non-towered (Air Traffic Control) airport, he heard another airplane call in that was on the Instrument Landing Approach to Runway 14. The pilot reported that as he was not certain how far out the other airplane was, he elected to extend his downwind leg. The pilot further reported that after making visual contact with the other airplane he turned onto his base leg, however, farther out than his normal distance. The pilot stated, "[I] completed [the] before landing check[list] and reported extended final." The pilot revealed, "[I] next sighted [an] unlighted height bar in my windshield immediately in front of me, clipped it off and immediately encountered [a] field of approach lights, which I tried to avoid. [The] aircraft caught [its] left wing (I think) and came to rest short of the runway." The pilot further revealed that the unlighted height approach bars blend in with the surroundings, and that he should have activated the runway and approach lights while on base leg. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine's firewall and the outboard section of its left wing, and there was no post-crash fire. At 1553, the MYV Automated Surface Observing System reported wind 170 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 23 degrees C, dew point 9 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 PDT
Nearest AirportYuba County Airport (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length6006 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney Aircraft M20K
Tail NumberN231KZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid B Van Pelt
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 83 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data