8 February 2007
The AAIB report into the <a href=”newsfeed.php?artnum=327″>crash of a C182 near Liverpool John Lennon Airport in October</a> has concluded that the pilot crashed because he was flying too low, and hit a wooden stanchion holding the approach lighting.
From the report: “The pilot states that as he flew the approach he was blinded by the aun and had difficulty seeing the runway and, therefore, attempted to fly the aircraft along the path of the approach lights. He also found that the visibility was better by flying lower than normal. The pilot considered going around, but approximately half
way down the approach he sighted the ‘piano keys’ and decided to continue the approach using them as his reference point. However, it was not until a late stage on the approach that he was able to see the lights on the PAPIS, which were all red. The pilot, realising that he was very low, applied full power and attempted to climb away.”
However, he struck one 30-foot high stanchion. The aircraft then hit the ground before uprooting a second stanchion. The accident took place approximately half a mile from the runway.
When the ATC officer on duty realised that the aircraft had become dangerously low, he activated the fire alarm. He stated that he did not want to contact the aircraft, in case he distracted the pilot.
The aircraft was badly damaged, and both pilots were seriously injured.
Read the full report <a href=’http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/february_2007/cessna_182p__g_btha.cfm’ target=’_blank’>here</a>.
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In the same AAIB Bulletin is the report into the crash of a Morane Saulnier Rallye 235E near Leominster last August.
In this case, the pilot mistook a new, unopened road as runway 27 at Shobdon (which had been his destination). When he landed on the road, he hit a speedbump which caused the aircraft to veer off to one side, hitting a lamp post and tree.
The pilot had 27 years of experience, but had only visited Shobdon three times and none of those visits had been recent.
The pilot, the only occupant, was uninjured. The new road was of a similar length and orientation as the Shobdon runway.
The full report is <a href=”http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/cms_resources/Morane%20Saulnier%20Rallye%20235E,%20G-MELV%2002-07.pdf”>here</a>
