This January 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Glasair III. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Oxford, Conn. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: The pilot, who had logged 278 hours, but only 7.2 hours at night four years before the accident, was attempting a landing at dusk. The runway was equipped with operating precision approach path indicator lights. There were powerlines in the vicinity of the airport. During the approach the pilot went 200 feet below the PAPI glidepath and collided with a high-tension line. The accident occurred 11 minutes after sunset and 20 minutes before the end of civil twilight.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach path during visual conditions at dusk, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines.
For more information: NTSB.gov. NTSB Identification: ERA10LA113
