Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI99LA217

DONGOLA, IL, USA

Aircraft #1

N1996T

Piper PA-28R-200

Analysis

The pilot stated that, on the landing approach, he '... was slightly high... .' He also stated that the north end of the airport had been having work done and that it dropped off steeply on both sides. The pilot stated that he '... aimed for a point where it no longer dropped off so steeply.' The aircraft ran off the end of the runway and collided with a ditch embankment. The accident occurred at 2050. The airport where the accident took place is a private airport and does not have runway lights. Sunset for the accident day occurred at 2021 and the end of civil twilight occurred at 2052.

Factual Information

On July 3, 1999, at 2050 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N1996T, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it ran off the end of runway 19 (2,200 feet by 100 feet, dry/turf), during a landing at Keil Airport near Dongola, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. No injuries to the pilot or three passengers were reported. The flight originated from the Williamson County Regional Airport near Marion, Illinois approximately 2030. Post accident examination revealed damage to the firewall, stabilator, main landing gear and wings. The main landing gear trunions were separated from the wing structure. No preexisting anomalies were found, and none were reported by the pilot. In a written report, the pilot stated that, on the landing approach, he "... was slightly high... ." The pilot also stated that the north end of the airport had been having work done and that it dropped off steeply on both sides. The pilot stated that he "aimed for a point where it no longer dropped off so steeply." The pilot also stated that he was unfamiliar with the airport. The Keil Airport is a private airport and does not have runway lights. According to United States Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department internet site, sunset for the accident day occurred at 2021 and the end of civil twilight occurred at 2052.

Probable Cause and Findings

the failure of the pilot to maintain a proper glidepath on the landing approach, and the failure of the pilot to select a proper touchdown point. Factors to the accident were the lack of runway lights, the dusk light condition, and the ditch.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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