On February 21, 1986, a Piper PA-44 (registration N2217F) operated by Panama Aviation,inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Panama City, FL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An air taxi flight on an instrument ILS approach lost visual contact with runway lighting, initiated a missed approach, veered left of the runway centerline, struck the ground, then crashed into and destroyed the glideslope building.
Accident Sequence
The air taxi flight was conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach. The pilot reported that he had obtained visual contact with the runway lighting system and was beginning to land when he lost all visual contact. He subsequently initiated a missed approach. During the missed approach, the aircraft veered left of the runway centerline and crashed into the ground approximately 75 feet in front of the glideslope building. The aircraft then bounced into the air and struck the glideslope building, destroying it.
Pilot Account
After the accident, the pilot recalled that he never established a positive rate of climb during the missed approach.
Aftermath
The glideslope building was destroyed as a result of the impact.