What happened
The flight involved a training exercise that began with a practice VOR approach to the airport. Following this procedure, the aircraft attempted a landing on runway 27. The pilot became established on final approach but was assessed as being too high for a safe touchdown. Consequently, a go-around was initiated.
During the subsequent second landing attempt, the certified flight instructor (CFI) observed that the student pilot was targeting a point just beyond the white runway lights. At this moment, the CFI noticed an object ahead of the aircraft that appeared to be a ball. As the go-around was being executed, the aircraft collided with nearby power lines.
The impact caused the aircraft to touch down short of the runway threshold. It slid along the ground and came to a stop to the left of the runway surface. The runway in question is 3,012 feet long and features a displaced threshold of 65 feet. The power lines involved were located approximately 150 feet from the runway and stood about 10 feet above its surface. Records indicate that the student pilot had landed at this airport at night two days prior to the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path during the final approach and the timing of the go-around maneuver. Examination of the site confirmed the location of the power lines relative to the runway threshold. The presence of a ball near the approach path was noted as a potential visual distraction or hazard, though its specific role in the collision dynamics was limited by the speed of the event.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the aircraft's position during the go-around. The pilot was too high on final approach, necessitating the climb-out maneuver. This altitude error placed the aircraft directly into the path of the power lines situated near the runway end. The decision to continue the landing attempt despite being high contributed significantly to the collision.
Safety message
Pilots must maintain precise control of their descent profile during final approach. Being too high on final can lead to rushed decisions and unsafe go-around trajectories, particularly in low-visibility conditions or at night. Awareness of obstacles near the runway end is critical for safe landing operations.