On February 10, 1987, a Piper PA-28R-180 (registration N7498J) was involved in an aviation accident near Tulare, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempted to land at night with the runway and VASI approach lights off, inadvertently touching down on a parallel roadway. The aircraft collided with a fence at a dead end. The pilot had never used the radio-controlled lighting system and held a medical certificate invalid for night flight.
Incident Details
A pilot attempted to land at an airport during nighttime conditions while the runway and VASI approach lights were not illuminated. The night was dark, and the pilot inadvertently landed on a roadway that ran parallel to the runway. The aircraft subsequently collided with a fence when the roadway came to a dead end adjacent to the near midfield point on the runway.
Runway Lighting System
The airport's runway and approach lights are radio-controlled. The pilot reported during a telephonic interview that he had never used the radio procedures required to activate the runway lights.
Pilot Medical Certification
The pilot's medical certificate was not valid for night flight operations.
What happened in the 10 Feb 1987 Piper PA-28R-180 accident near Tulare, CA?
A pilot attempted to land at night with the runway and VASI approach lights off, inadvertently touching down on a parallel roadway. The aircraft collided with a fence at a dead end. The pilot had never used the radio-controlled lighting system and held a medical certificate invalid for night flight.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 10 Feb 1987 involved a Piper PA-28R-180, registration N7498J, at Tulare, CA.
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