DAWSON SPRINGS, KY, USA
N5483Q
CESSNA 150L
THE PILOT, DURING AN NIGHT FLIGHT, WAS UNSUCCESFUL AT LOCATING THE DESTINATION, TRADEWATER AIRPORT (8M7) SO HE DEVIATED TO AND LANDED AT PRINCETON-CALDWELL COUNTY AIRPORT. THERE HE BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT HIS AIRPLANE BEING UNSECURED AT AN UNATTENDED AIRPORT AND THE THREAT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECASTED TO OCCUR OVERNIGHT. HE ARRANGED FOR A FRIEND TO USE THE HEADLIGHTS OF A CAR TO ILLUMINATE THE GRASS STRIP AT 8M7, SO THE PILOT COULD RETURN AND LAND. THE PILOT FLEW BACK, CIRCLED THE AIRPORT, SPOTTED THE HEADLIGHTS, AND BEGAN THE APPROACH. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'JUST PRIOR TO CROSSING THE THRESHOLD MARKERS, I SAW THE ROOF OF THE AUTOMOBILE IN THE BEAM OF MY LANDING LIGHT, AND FELT CONTACT AND SENSED THE AIRPLANE TUMBLING AND A SECOND CONTACT WHEN THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN.' ACCORDING TO THE FAA, THE MAIN WHEEL STRUCK THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CAR. THE PILOT SAID THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD NOT BEEN SO ANXIOUS TO FLY THE AIRPLANE TO 8M7 WHERE IT WOULD BE HANGARED.
On Tuesday, November 8, 1994, at 1900 central standard time, a Cessna 150L, N5483Q, piloted by and registered to William L. Lipford, was destroyed during a landing at the Tradewater Airport, Dawson Springs, Kentucky. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was landing on runway 18, which does not have runway lights. Automobile lights were being used to illuminate the runway for the pilot. In his report, the pilot stated: Just prior to crossing the threshold marker I saw the roof of the automobile in the beam of my landing light and felt contact and sensed the airplane tumbling...the airplane came to rest up side down.
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance. Other related factors are night conditions and the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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