On November 16, 1991, a Mooney M20C (registration N9637M) operated by Smith, Harry E. was involved in an aviation accident near Painesville, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE POWERLINE TOWER STRUCTURE WHILE EXECUTING A VISUAL APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an approach to Painesville, OH, an airplane struck a 150-foot powerline support tower in less than one mile visibility. The aircraft was not equipped with an ADF.
Incident Details
Two pilots departed Keene, New Hampshire, under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Upon arrival at Painesville, Ohio, they received clearance to execute the NDB B approach. One of the pilots canceled the IFR flight plan and reported the airport in sight. The controller queried the pilot after observing the airplane on radar approximately 4 miles from the airport. One of the pilots indicated that they were maneuvering to land on a different runway. The airplane then struck a 150-foot tall powerline support tower at an altitude of about 140 feet above the ground.
Weather and Visibility
At the time of the accident, visibility was less than one mile in rain and fog. The reduced visibility likely affected the pilots' ability to see the tower.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the wreckage following the accident revealed that the airplane was not equipped with an Automatic Direction Finder (ADF). The NDB B approach requires an ADF for navigation, as it relies on a Non-Directional Beacon.