N9172Q

Substantial
Serious

BEECH V35BS/N: D-9250

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, April 4, 2015
NTSB Number
ERA15CA176
Location
Wetumpka, AL
Event ID
20150406X41451
Coordinates
32.527221, -86.331108
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's use of an incorrect radio frequency when attempting to turn on the runway lights, resulting is an attempt to land the airplane while aligned with airport hangar lights.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N9172Q
Make
BEECH
Serial Number
D-9250
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1970
Model / ICAO
V35BBE35
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
POWER DANIEL N
Address
101 SCENIC DR
Status
Deregistered
City
ELMORE
State / Zip Code
AL 36025-1016
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing his airplane at night and mistook the hangar lights for runway lights. The airplane struck trees on the final approach, then the ground before coming to rest, inverted. The pilot said that, in retrospect, he was on the incorrect radio frequency when he attempted to turn on the pilot-activated runway lights. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident. The runway lights operated normally after the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA15CA176