Accident Details
On the night of the accident, the pilot of N7366M departed at 2200. Witnesses observed a large spark that lit up the sky on the approach end of runway 4, after which the airport's power went out, including the runway lights. The aircraft was seen flying low over the runway and applying power for a go-around. The wreckage was subsequently located in a cornfield approximately 1,500 feet left of the runway centerline.
Investigation revealed that the approach track to runway 4 crosses transmission lines located 3,510 feet from the PAPI-indicated runway touchdown point. Three top lines of those transmission lines were found separated.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a non-instrument rated private pilot with 237 hours of total flight experience. He worked as a professional truck driver and had worked 12 hours on the day of the accident. His night flying experience totaled 5.2 hours during the preceding 18 months. The moon had set at 2255 on the night of the accident.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft involved was N7366M. The pilot's most recent flight with his flight instructor occurred on March 19, 1998, during which the instructor noted that the attitude indicator was not functioning properly. No documentation was found to indicate that the attitude indicator had been repaired or replaced subsequent to that flight.
Operational Factors
It could not be determined from available records whether the pilot had received training or had prior exposure to the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system.