Narrative
The accident involved a general aviation airplane that departed Monterey Airport, Monterey, California, on a night Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight. The pilot entered the downwind leg for Runway 30 and observed another airplane departing the runway. The pilot believed this airplane departed at approximately midfield, but the airplane had actually departed from the runway threshold.
While on final approach, the pilot realized she had mistaken the approach lights for the runway lights. She turned to her husband, who was occupying a rear seat, and stated that she was in trouble. At that time, the stall warning horn sounded, and she pushed the airplane's nose downward. The airplane almost immediately collided with the approach lights and crashed.
The pilot reported that the airplane did not sustain any preimpact malfunctions or failures.
Findings
- The flight was conducted at night under VFR.
- The pilot misinterpreted the approach lights as runway lights.
- A stall warning horn activated before the collision.
- The airplane impacted approach lights and crashed.
- No preimpact mechanical issues were reported by the pilot.