Aircraft contacts power lines during night landing approach

Casualties unknown • Medina, OH, US

An aircraft struck power lines while performing a night landing approach at an airport where utility poles were not documented in the airport directory.

What happened

During a night landing approach, the pilot observed that runway 9-27 was closed. According to the airport directory, runway 9-27 is closed during nighttime hours, while runway 18-36 is equipped with Low Intensity Runway Lights (LIRL). The directory also indicated a displaced threshold of 120 feet for runway 18 due to the presence of parked aircraft.

During the approach, the aircraft made contact with power lines. There was no mention in the airport documentation regarding the existence of power lines or a utility pole located at the north end of the airport.

Findings

An analysis determined that a glide slope of 3.1 degrees originating from the runway displaced threshold would intersect the top of the utility pole, which was aligned with the runway centerline. Following the accident, the runway 18 threshold and its associated threshold lights were displaced further away from the power lines to prevent future occurrences.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck power lines during a night landing approach because the presence of a utility pole and power lines at the north end of the airport was not documented in the airport directory.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-05-30 Piper PA-22-135 accident near Medina, OH?

An aircraft struck power lines while performing a night landing approach at an airport where utility poles were not documented in the airport directory.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-05-30 involved a Piper PA-22-135, registration N2124A, operated by David L. Hartley, at Medina, OH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck power lines during a night landing approach because the presence of a utility pole and power lines at the north end of the airport was not documented in the airport directory.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28247. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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