At about 2025 Central time, the airplane crashed into an unoccupied residence while executing a go-around. The airplane and the residence were destroyed in a post-crash fire and the solo pilot was fatally injured. Dark night visual conditions prevailed. The runway lights were inoperative following a recent lightning strike; the pilot was attempting to line up on the runway using the runway edge reflectors. A witness received an in-flight cellular telephone call from the pilot and parked his car with the headlamps illuminating the runway. The pilot acknowledged seeing the flashing car lights on the runway. The pilot then flew eastbound over the airport and was attempting a right turn to land on runway 34. Several witnesses said the pilot started a go-around at approximately 50 to 150 feet agl, but almost immediately started a descent. The airplane impacted trees on the right side of the runway and crashed into a residence with an immediate post-crash fire.
September 23, 2009, Hilltop Lakes, Texas, Cessna T210
At about 2025 Central time, the airplane crashed into an unoccupied residence while executing a go-around. The airplane and the residence were destroyed in a post-crash fire and the solo pilot was fatally injured. Dark night visual conditions prevailed. The runway lights were inoperative following a recent lightning strike; the pilot was attempting to line up on the runway using the runway edge reflectors. A witness received an in-flight cellular telephone call from the pilot and parked his car with the headlamps illuminating the runway.
Key Takeaways:
- A solo pilot was fatally injured when their airplane crashed into an unoccupied residence during a go-around in dark night conditions, resulting in the destruction of both the aircraft and the home by fire.
- The runway lights were inoperative due to a recent lightning strike, prompting the pilot to attempt landing using runway edge reflectors and a witness's car headlights for illumination.
- After beginning a go-around at a low altitude (50-150 feet AGL), the airplane immediately descended, impacted trees, and then crashed into the residence.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
