ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 35515
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Tuesday 23 September 1997 |
| Time: | 23:30 LT |
| Type: |  Cessna 172M |
| Owner/operator: | Pegasus Air, Inc. |
| Registration: | N6756H |
| MSN: | 17265569 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1975 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3519 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-E2D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Bremerton, WA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Friday Harbor, WA |
| (KPWT) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
While visiting friends, the private pilot arrived at an unfamiliar airport and requested the authorization to rent airplanes from an operator. The pilot intended on flying his friends on a cross country night flight, but he did not inform the flight instructor who flew with him for the authorization. The instructor reviewed the pilot's logbook, but did not notice that it had been about 2 years since the pilot had logged any of his 3 hours of total night flying time. The operator's dispatcher subsequently allowed the pilot to rent the airplane for the flight, despite published night flying requirements which the pilot did not meet. During the return flight back to the airport, the pilot told controllers the he had difficulty locating the airport. During final approach, the airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a 3-foot-deep pond, about 1/2-mile short of the runway. The visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lighting for the runway was out of service for routine maintenance, and a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) had been issued. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The front seat occupants, who were not wearing shoulder harnesses, drowned.
Probable Cause: The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were dark night conditions, the pilot's improper decision to conduct the flight at night, his lack of recent experience in the type of operation (night flying), his lack of familiarity with the geographical area, the inoperative airport visual approach slope indicator, and the improper dispatch of the airplane by the operator.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB SEA97FA215
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:22 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 08-Apr-2024 12:40 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation