On October 26, 1994, a Piper PA-28-235 (registration N8954W) was involved in an aviation accident near Aurora, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a night maneuver in conditions with no visible horizon, compounded by the flight instructor's lack of recent night experience. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A night check-out instructional flight ended in a ground collision during a left turn over the departure runway. The pilot had limited recent night experience under dark, moonless conditions.
What happened
The accident occurred during a night check-out instructional flight. While the aircraft was operating within the traffic pattern, it struck the ground while executing a left turn positioned off the end of the departure runway. Environmental conditions at the time were clear skies with a dark night and no moonlight. Consequently, there was no visible horizon in the direction the aircraft was traveling when impact occurred.
The investigation
The flight instructor involved in the instructional flight had no recent experience flying at night. This lack of recent currency likely contributed to the inability to maintain proper orientation during the low-visibility maneuver.
Findings
Contributing factors included the absence of a visual horizon due to moonless darkness and the instructor's lack of recent night flying experience.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a night maneuver in conditions with no visible horizon, compounded by the flight instructor's lack of recent night experience.
What happened in the 26 Oct 1994 Piper PA-28-235 accident near Aurora, CO?
A night check-out instructional flight ended in a ground collision during a left turn over the departure runway. The pilot had limited recent night experience under dark, moonless conditions.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 26 Oct 1994 involved a Piper PA-28-235, registration N8954W, at Aurora, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a night maneuver in conditions with no visible horizon, compounded by the flight instructor's lack of recent night experience.
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