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Airplane Impacts Terrain Short of Runway During ILS Approach (N17CH)

Cedar Rapids, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On December 13, 1992, a Cessna 402 (registration N17CH) operated by Dwyer Air was involved in an aviation accident near Cedar Rapids, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a proper glidepath. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

During the second ILS approach, the airplane descended below the glidepath and struck the ground 2,500 feet short of the runway. The pilot cited an approach lighting system failure, but post-accident checks found no anomalies.

Accident Description

The accident occurred while the airplane was conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach. The ILS provides precise guidance to the runway via lateral localizer and vertical glideslope signals. On this occasion, the aircraft was executing the second such approach. During the approach, the airplane descended below the prescribed glidepath. It continued descending and impacted the terrain approximately 2,500 feet short of the intended landing runway. The pilot indicated that a failure in the approach lighting system had occurred. However, a post-accident functional check of the approach lighting system did not reveal any anomalies.

Official Findings

The probable cause of the accident, as determined by the investigation, was the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a proper glidepath.

Loss of control in flight

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