Pilot Debrief

BEECH V35B near Wetumpka, AL — 2015-04-04

Final reportERA15CA176
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Date
2015-04-04
Location
Wetumpka, AL, USA
Airport
08A
Aircraft
BEECH V35B
Registration
N9172Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's use of an incorrect radio frequency when attempting to turn on the runway lights, resulting is an attempt to land the airplane while aligned with airport hangar lights.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was landing his airplane at night and mistook the hangar lights for runway lights. The airplane struck trees on the final approach, then the ground before coming to rest, inverted. The pilot said that, in retrospect, he was on the incorrect radio frequency when he attempted to turn on the pilot-activated runway lights. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident. The runway lights operated normally after the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents14

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