BEECH V35B
Wetumpka, AL — April 4, 2015
Event Information
| Date | April 4, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA15CA176 |
| Event ID | 20150406X41451 |
| Location | Wetumpka, AL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.52722, -86.33111 |
| Airport | Wetumpka Muni |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | BEECH |
| Model | V35B |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NDRK |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
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.
Full Narrative
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.
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.