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January 12, 2013 · American General Acft AG5B · N897GA

Ankeny, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 12, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ankeny, IA
Aircraft
American General Acft AG5B
Tail Number
N897GA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13CA133

The pilot stated that before arriving at his destination airport in night visual meteorological conditions, he listened to the automated weather observing system, which indicated wind from 220 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot aborted his first attempt to land after a bounced landing. During the second approach to land, the pilot observed the visual approach slope indicator rapidly transition from both white (indicating high on the glideslope) to both red (indicating low on the glideslope) and decided to perform a go-around. During the attempted go-around, the airplane’s left wing struck a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot then landed the airplane without further incident on his third landing attempt. The pilot stated that the airplane’s interior lighting was too bright for the night conditions and that the bright runway lights in the dark rural setting gave him a “false sense of night vision.”

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway in gusty wind conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from obstructions during the subsequent go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper interior lighting configuration.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that before arriving at his destination airport in night visual meteorological conditions, he listened to the automated weather observing system, which broadcast wind from 220 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot executed a go-around on his first attempt due to a bounced landing on runway 22. During the second attempt, on the base to final turn, the pilot observed the visual approach slope indicator rapidly transition from both white to both red. The pilot advanced the throttle to execute another go-around when the left wing struck a tree. He landed the airplane without further incident on the third attempt. During the impact with the tree the left wing and horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that the interior airplane lighting was too bright for the night conditions and the bright runway lights gave him a false sense of night vision.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:30 CST
Nearest AirportAnkeny Regional Airport (1nm)
Runway22
Runway Length3855 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican General Acft AG5B
Tail NumberN897GA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind200° @ 17 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 43 C
Altimeter29.80 inHg
Observation Time04:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data