On November 27, 1983, a Cessna 421B (registration N41097) was involved in an aviation accident near Columbus, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot of the C-421 had difficulty distinguishing the intersection. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Cessna 421 and a Boeing 727 collided at the intersection of runways 31 and 28L during approach in Columbus. The C-421 pilot, cleared to land on runway 31 with instructions to hold short of runway 28L, had difficulty distinguishing the intersection and struck the B-727.
Incident Overview
During an approach to Columbus, a Boeing 727 was vectored to a final approach for runway 28L. A Cessna 421 was cleared for a visual approach to runway 31 with instructions to "land short of two eight left." After contacting the tower, the pilot of the C-421 was twice cleared to land on runway 31 with instructions to hold short of runway 28L. The pilot acknowledged both instructions.
Sequence of Events
During the landing, the C-421 and the B-727 collided at the intersection of runways 31 and 28L. The pilot of the C-421 reported difficulty distinguishing the intersection. The landing distance from the displaced threshold of runway 31 to where it crosses runway 28L is 3,011 feet.
Findings
The investigation determined that the pilot of the C-421 had difficulty distinguishing the intersection, which contributed to the collision.
Probable cause
The pilot of the C-421 had difficulty distinguishing the intersection.