Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX91FA036

WOODLAND, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N1594S

BEECH 95-A55

Analysis

AIRPLANE OBSERVED FLYING OVER RWY 34 IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION AT ABOUT 200-300 FT AGL. THE ENGINES SOUNDED NORMAL. WRECKAGE LOCATED 1.5 MI NNW OF THE AIRPORT DISTRIBUTED ON A 086 DEG HEADING; PUBLISHED RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 16. AREA RURAL FARMLAND, FEW SOURCES OF AMBIENT LIGHT. NO NIGHT TIME LOGGED PRECEDING 90 DAYS. NO RECORD OF PILOT FLYING INTO AIRPORT PREVIOUSLY.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS ALTITUDE TO ASSURE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT, UNLIT TERRAIN, THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT NIGHT TIME, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPORT, AND AN IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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