FULSHEAR, TX, USA
N97489
CESSNA 172P
THE PILOT RENTED AN AIRPLANE FOR A SCENIC FLIGHT IN THE LOCAL AREA. PRIOR TO DEPARTING, HE EXPERIENCED AVIONICS PROBLEMS AND A MECHANIC FOUND A TRIPPED ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT BREAKER, WHICH WAS RESET. AN UNEVENTFUL REFUELING STOP WAS MADE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS AT A LOCAL AIRPORT. DURING THE SECOND FLIGHT, ELECTRICAL POWER WAS LOST WHEN HE TRIED TO USE A LANDING LIGHT. THE PILOT USED A CIGARETTE LIGHTER TO CROSS CHECK HIS FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS WHILE SEARCHING FOR A SUITABLE PLACE TO LAND. A GRASS AIRPARK WAS FOUND AND THE PILOT INITIATED A VISUAL APPROACH. DURING THE APPROACH TO THE UNLIGHTED STRIP, THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER POINT OF TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS WERE THE POPPED CIRCUIT BREAKER, THE INOPERATIVE ALTERNATOR, AND THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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