Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were the airport sign and the night lighting conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated she misjudged the flare due to the night lighting conditions and the airplane bounced during the landing. The pilot initiated an aborted landing and upon power application, the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway where the elevator contacted an airport sign.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 14, 1994, at 1913 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N63671, flown by a private pilot collided with an airport sign during an attempted aborted landing on runway 24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating under a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Ann Arbor, Michigan, at 1830 eastern standard time. The pilot stated the airplane was slightly low on final approach with 20 degrees of flaps so she added power. She stated that she misjudged the height above the runway due to the night lighting conditions and flared the airplane too high. She then decided to abort the landing. She stated that when she added full power, the airplane headed off the left side of the runway. The left elevator contacted a "Do Not Enter" sign on a service road located approximately 35 yards from the runways centerline. The pilot landed the airplane in the soft terrain without further incident. -