PARTENAVIA S.P.A. P 68 OBSERVER
Molokai, HI — February 28, 2014
Event Information
| Date | February 28, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR14CA129 |
| Event ID | 20140304X53448 |
| Location | Molokai, HI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 21.31167, -157.91667 |
| Airport | Panda Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PARTENAVIA S.P.A. |
| Model | P 68 OBSERVER |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NITE |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate decision to continue an unstable approach in dark night conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and hard landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot stated that the flight was conducted at night and he used his GPS track to align with the runway. When the pilot activated the runway lights, the airplane was about 1/4 mile to the left of the runway and 1/2 mile from the approach end. The pilot made an aggressive right turn then hard left turn to make the runway for landing. While maneuvering on short final, at 50 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane's right wing impacted the tops of a number of trees that lined the southeast side of the runway. The airplane descended rapidly and landed hard, collapsing the landing gear and spinning the airplane around 180 degrees laterally, where it came to rest against some trees. The right wing's impact with trees and the hard landing resulted in substantial damage.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.