Summary
On June 20, 2006, a Cessna 182L (N42656) was involved in an incident near Coupland, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's disorientation. Contributing factors were the prevailing night light condition and the inoperative landing light.
The 568-hour commercial pilot was returning to a private airstrip for a night landing after releasing parachute jumpers. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the aircraft's landing light was inoperative so in an attempt to identify the unlit grass runway, the pilot flew over the area several times to try to find the airstrip. On the third pass the pilot believed to be over the runway and proceed with an approach to land. During the initial landing roll, the airplane's right landing gear struck a fence which resulted in the aircraft abruptly veering to the right and impacting the ground. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the airplane unassisted.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DFW06CA162. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N42656.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's disorientation. Contributing factors were the prevailing night light condition and the inoperative landing light.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The 568-hour commercial pilot was returning to a private airstrip for a night landing after releasing parachute jumpers. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the aircraft's landing light was inoperative so in an attempt to identify the unlit grass runway, the pilot flew over the area several times to try to find the airstrip. On the third pass the pilot believed to be over the runway and proceed with an approach to land. During the initial landing roll, the airplane's right landing gear struck a fence which resulted in the aircraft abruptly veering to the right and impacting the ground. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the airplane unassisted. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident scene, reported that the pilot missed the airstrip and he found the aircraft resting in a livestock field located approximately mid field and 150 feet to the right of the airstrip centerline.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW06CA162