On January 17, 1997, a Cessna 310F (registration N1761G) was involved in an aviation accident near Bridgeport, CT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misunderstanding of the reported wind information and the subsequent impact of a strong quarterly tailwind during landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot performing a night visual approach landed on runway 6 and veered off the runway after misinterpreting wind information, resulting in a collision with a VASI.
What happened
During a night cross-country flight, the pilot accepted a visual approach to his destination. Upon requesting information regarding the active runway, the pilot was informed that the control tower was closed. The controller provided the last reported wind information from 0154 Zulu, which was 280 degrees at 12 knots with gusts up to 17 knots.
The pilot reported a misunderstanding of the controller's wind report, believing the wind was 010 degrees at 29 knots. The pilot subsequently landed on runway 6. Shortly after touchdown, a strong quarterly tailwind pushed the aircraft toward the right side of the runway. Before the aircraft could come to a complete stop, it struck the VASI (Visual Approach Slope Indicator) located at the approach end of runway 24.
At the time of the event, the recorded wind was 290 degrees at 21 knots with gusts reaching 28 knots.
Probable cause
The pilot's misunderstanding of the reported wind information and the subsequent impact of a strong quarterly tailwind during landing.