On November 10, 1982, a Beech A36 (registration N36829) operated by Davis Constructors & Engrs. was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Yukon, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to activate the runway lights as prescribed on the Jeppesen approach chart, which led to mistaking building lights for runway lights and resulting in a runway excursion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot mistook building lights for runway lights during a night approach at Fort Yukon, Alaska, resulting in the aircraft running off the ramp into snow and brush.
What happened
During a night approach to runway 03 at Fort Yukon, Alaska, the pilot failed to activate the runway lights as required by the Jeppesen approach chart. Instead of identifying the correct lighting configuration, the pilot mistook a row of white lights on nearby buildings for the runway lights. This misidentification led to an incorrect landing path, causing the aircraft to come to a stop after running off the parking ramp and into deep snow and brush.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the pilot's failure to follow prescribed procedures for activating runway lights during a night approach. The confusion between building lights and runway lights highlights the critical importance of adhering to approach charts and verifying lighting cues before landing.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to activate the runway lights as prescribed on the Jeppesen approach chart, which led to mistaking building lights for runway lights and resulting in a runway excursion.