On March 14, 1987, a Cessna 414A (registration N26864) was involved in an aviation accident near Chinle, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during an approach to an airport with partial lighting failures, which resulted in a collision with a fence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempted an approach to the incorrect side of a runway due to inoperative lights, resulting in a collision with a fence during go-around.
What happened
The pilot reported that runway lights on one side of the runway were inoperative. Consequently, he made an approach to the wrong side of the lights. When he realized the aircraft was not aligned with the runway, he initiated a go-around. However, as he started to go around, the aircraft hit a fence beside the runway and subsequently crash landed.
The investigation
No further mechanical examination details were provided in the source text.
Findings
Runway lights on one side of the runway were inoperative.
The pilot approached the wrong side of the lights.
The aircraft collided with a fence during the go-around maneuver.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during an approach to an airport with partial lighting failures, which resulted in a collision with a fence.