On October 28, 2000, a Piper PA-34-200T (registration N238Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Collins, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure by the pilot to follow instrument approach procedures and execute a missed approach when the runway environment was not in sight at decision height. A factor was low ceiling. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an ILS approach in low visibility, the pilot failed to activate runway lights and went visual after a passenger saw lights. The aircraft drifted right, impacting the ground 800 feet right and 1,000 feet down the runway, collapsing the landing gear.
Approach and Impact
The pilot was executing an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to an uncontrolled airport under low visibility conditions. The landing light and strobe lights were on, but the pilot had not activated the pilot-controlled runway lighting system. When the passenger informed the pilot that she saw lights, the pilot transitioned to visual flight and subsequently could not see the ground or the runway environment.
Drift and Collision
The aircraft drifted to the right and impacted the ground approximately 800 feet to the right of the runway centerline and about 1,000 feet down the runway from the threshold. The landing gear collapsed upon impact, and the aircraft slid to a stop on a taxiway adjacent to the ramp area.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 28 Oct 2000 Piper PA-34-200T accident near Fort Collins, CO?
During an ILS approach in low visibility, the pilot failed to activate runway lights and went visual after a passenger saw lights. The aircraft drifted right, impacting the ground 800 feet right and 1,000 feet down the runway, collapsing the landing gear.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Oct 2000 involved a Piper PA-34-200T, registration N238Z, at Fort Collins, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Failure by the pilot to follow instrument approach procedures and execute a missed approach when the runway environment was not in sight at decision height. A factor was low ceiling.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…