Pilot Debrief

Piper PA24 near Winder, GA — 2018-10-04

Final reportGAA19CA016
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Date
2018-10-04
Location
Winder, GA, USA
Airport
WDR
Aircraft
Piper PA24
Registration
N8220P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach path at night after an electrical failure, which resulted in the airplane striking runway lights.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during a night flight, while lowering the flaps for landing, the cockpit lights turned off. He attempted to turn the lights back on to no avail. He added that the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights were off and that he could not get the runway lights to turn on either. As he was landing past "the first arrow in front [chevron in the displaced threshold]," he heard a "thump." He taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident. The passenger, an airframe and powerplant mechanic, reported that, during approach after the cockpit lights went out, he used his flashlight to light up the cockpit. He was unable to correct the panel lights but observed that the runway lights were "bright." He added that, during the landing, he felt the "bottom drop out" and that the airplane landed hard and bounced. Postaccident examination revealed that the right horizontal stabilator sustained substantial damage. The pilot added that he and the passenger went to the beginning of the approach runway and found pieces of broken runway lights. Archived NOTAMs for the date of the accident stated that: RWY 31 PAPI UNUSABLE

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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