Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow proper procedures/directives prohibiting night operations at the airport and failure to maintain the proper glidepath. The pilot's diverted attention was a factor in this accident.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was completing a night visual flight rules personal flight at his home airport. The airport is not equipped with a runway/airport lighting system and night operations are prohibited. While on final approach, the pilot became distracted by two automobiles near the approach end of the runway. This distraction caused the pilot to descend below the normal glide path. When the pilot realized he was too low, he began a go-around. The airplane's left wing struck a power pole guy wire as it began to climb.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 20, 1993, at 1915 hours Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20B, N6405Q, collided with a power pole guy wire while on final approach to runway 04 at Santa Paula Airport, Santa Paula, California. The pilot was competing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Whiteman Airport, Pacoima, California, at 1855 hours. Mr. Thomas Mangum, Principal Operations Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Van Nuys [California] Flight Standards District Office, reported that the pilot admitted that "he was too low" while on final approach to the airport. Inspector Mangum reported that 24 inches of the airplane's left wing severed when it struck the power pole guy wire. The pilot told Inspector Mangum that he purchased the airplane on November 5, 1993. Inspector Mangum said that the pilot was not listed as the registered owner in the FAA Aircraft Records Section, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Inspector Mangum also said that the airplane is based at Santa Paula Airport. The pilot said that clear skies existed, but that it was a dark night. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, to the National Transportation Safety Board. The pilot stated in the report that while on final approach he became distracted by two automobiles with their lights on that were near the approach end of the runway. He said that this distraction caused him to allow the airplane to get too low. When the pilot realized he was too low, he added power and began a go-around. As the airplane began to climb, its left wing struck the power pole guy wire. Santa Paula Airport is not equipped with any runway lighting systems. According to the Department of Commerce, Airport/Facility Directory, night operations at Santa Paula Airport are prohibited. -