On February 19, 1990, a Cessna 152 (registration N6377B) operated by Roederer Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Columbia, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to see the blue taxiway lights marking the entrance to the runway, which resulted in the aircraft overrunning the end of the taxiway and striking a ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft taxied at excessive speed past the runway entrance due to missed taxiway lights, resulting in a nose-over after striking a ditch at the end of the pavement.
What happened
The local air traffic controller observed the aircraft moving at an unusually high rate of speed as it approached the departure end of the runway. The pilot later reported that he failed to see the blue taxiway lights that marked the entrance where the taxiway turned onto the runway. Consequently, the aircraft continued past the designated point and went off the end of the taxiway surface. It then struck a ditch and nosed over.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the overrun. Evidence indicated that the pilot did not identify the correct entry point for the runway due to visibility issues with the ground lighting. The aircraft's momentum carried it beyond the paved surface, leading to the impact with the terrain feature.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to see the blue taxiway lights marking the entrance to the runway, which resulted in the aircraft overrunning the end of the taxiway and striking a ditch.
What happened in the 19 Feb 1990 Cessna 152 accident near Columbia, MO?
An aircraft taxied at excessive speed past the runway entrance due to missed taxiway lights, resulting in a nose-over after striking a ditch at the end of the pavement.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 19 Feb 1990 involved a Cessna 152, registration N6377B, operated by Roederer Aviation, Inc., at Columbia, MO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to see the blue taxiway lights marking the entrance to the runway, which resulted in the aircraft overrunning the end of the taxiway and striking a ditch.
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