Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 24 February 1994
Aircraft Type: Beechcraft Beechjet 400A
Owner/operator: Beechcraft Sales South Inc.
Registration Number: N8279G
Location: Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Airport, OH (CGF) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: Aircraft Navigation System (specifically, VHF transmitter and runway lighting system)Aircraft Navigation System (specifically, VHF transmitter and runway lighting system)
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A Beechjet 400A aircraft, N8279G, collided with terrain during landing at Cuyahoga County Airport near Cleveland, Ohio. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and experienced a failure to activate airport runway lights. The flight originated in Finely, Ohio, and was on a sales demonstration/business flight. The pilot-in-command reported a ‘breaking out’ situation at 1,800 feet above ground level, attempting to turn on the lights by keying the VHF transmitter. The pilot subsequently continued the approach without activating the runway lights, resulting in impact with a grass area between runway 23 and taxiway Alpha.A Beechjet 400A aircraft, N8279G, collided with terrain during landing at Cuyahoga County Airport near Cleveland, Ohio. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and experienced a failure to activate airport runway lights. The flight originated in Finely, Ohio, and was on a sales demonstration/business flight. The pilot-in-command reported a ‘breaking out’ situation at 1,800 feet above ground level, attempting to turn on the lights by keying the VHF transmitter. The pilot subsequently continued the approach without activating the runway lights, resulting in impact with a grass area between runway 23 and taxiway Alpha.

Description

A Beechjet 400A airplane, N8279G, collided with the terrain during landing at Cuyahoga County Airport near Cleveland, Ohio. The certificated airline transport pilot and co-pilot and their four passengers were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. The airplane, being flown on a sales demonstration/business flight. The flight originated in Finely, Ohio at 06:00 eastern standard time and was arriving at its destination when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight crew reported they were executing an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 23 at Cuyahoga County Airport. They reported “breaking out” at 1,800 feet above ground level. The pilot-in-command stated “After entering VFR conditions no runway lights were observed. The co-pilot attempted to turn on the lights by keying the VHF transmitter.” They further reported that they continued the approach for landing and had the VASI lights in sight. Runway 23 does not have a VASI, but it has an approach lighting system. They said that they realized they were not going to land on the runway, but it was too late to execute a go-around. The airplane impacted a grass area between runway 23 and taxiway Alpha. The pilots failure to use the proper radio frequency to activate the airport runway lights, and the pilot’s improper decision to continue his approach and land without the runway lights being on.

Primary Cause

Failure to activate airport runway lights during landing, resulting in a collision with terrain.Failure to activate airport runway lights during landing, resulting in a collision with terrain.

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