# NTSB ATL89LA153: Piper PA-22-135, N2124A, Medina, OH, May 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1989, 20:35 local (May 30, 1989, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Medina, OH
- Coordinates: 41.129558, -81.860824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1296&lon=-81.8608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA153

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF AIRPORT MANAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH A DISPLACED THRESHOLD WHICH WOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE POWER LINES, THE UTILITY POLE AND THE DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not possible (cause)
  - object - utility pole(marked) (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway safety area - inadequate (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE NIGHT LANDING APCH, THE PLT NOTED RWY 9-27 WAS CLOSED. THE ARPT DIRECTORY NOTES RWY 9-27 CLOSED AT NIGHT, RWY 18- 36 HAS LIRL, AND THERE IS A DISPLACED THRESHOLD OF 120 FT FOR RWY 18 BECAUSE OF PARKED ACFT. NO MENTION IS MADE OF POWER LINES AND A UTILITY POLE AT THE NORTH END OF THE ARPT. IT WAS CALCULATED THAT A GLIDE SLOPE OF 3.1 DEGS FROM THE RWY DISPLACED THRESHOLD WOULD INTERSECT THE TOP OF THE UTILITY POLE WHICH WAS ALIGNED WITH THE RWY CENTERLINE. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE POWER LINES DURING THE LANDING APCH. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE RWY 18 THRESHOLD, AND THE THRESHOLD LIGHTS WERE DISPLACED FURTHER AWAY FROM THE POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2124A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2124A-2013-02-07), registration cancelled 2013-02-07, S/N 22-566, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-566
- Airframe hours: 3805
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David L. Hartley
- Registered owner: David L Hartley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: 15G, WADSWORTH, OH
- Destination: MEDINA, OH
- Airport: 1G5, Freedom Field, runway 18, 3,040 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 272 total, 175 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 18 nm away

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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