# NTSB ATL82FID06: Cessna 402B, N5218J, Newport News, VA, February 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1982, 04:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Newport News, VA
- Coordinates: 37.109134, -76.520065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1091&lon=-76.5201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FID06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72012/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FID06

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, missed approach (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - comm/nav equipment,localizer receiver - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING HIS FIRST ILS APPROACH, THE LOCALIZER NEEDLE FLUCTUATED TO THE LEFT. HE MADE CORRECTIVE TURNS TO THE LEFT. WHEN HE BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT THE DECISION HEIGHT (DH), HE OBSERVED THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT AND MADE A MISSED APPROACH. AT THAT TIME, HE ASSUMED THAT HE MADE AN ERROR DUE TO A COCKPIT DISTRACTION WHEN HE TURNED ON HIS LANDING LIGHT. HE REPORTED THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM DURING HIS SECOND ILS APPROACH, EXCEPT THE FLUCTUATIONS WERE LARGER. AT THE DH, BOTH OF HIS ILS LOCALIZER NEEDLES SHOWED THAT HE WAS RIGHT OF COURSE. HE SAW A ROW OF LIGHTS TO HIS LEFT THAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE RUNWAY. AFTER HE TURNED LEFT AND DESCENDED, HE REALIZED THEY WERE STREET LIGHTS. DURING HIS CLIMB FOR ANOTHER APPROACH, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE. HE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ILS PROBLEM ON A THIRD APPROACH, BUT LANDED SAFELY. A CHECK OF THE ILS TRANSMITTERS AND BOTH RECEIVERS REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PLANE HAD AN AUTOPILOT FRONT/BACK SWITCH, WHICH WAS REPORTEDLY SET ON "FRONT".

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5218J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5218J-2019-09-18), registration cancelled 2019-09-18, S/N 402B0905, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B0905
- Airframe hours: 1511
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520E 3250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: D. G. Hardman
- Registered owner: Sprayrite Mfg Co
- Departed: LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: 0REG0N CITY, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHF, Newport News, runway 7, 8,003 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,017 total, 153 in this make and model, 917 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 122 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820209003129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820209003129A), Feb 9, 1982: Cessna 402B, Newport News, VA, Substantial damage. Missed two approaches. Hit tree on 3rd approach over a street believed to be runway. Vectored to runway by ATC.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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