ATL93LA086

The airplane over ran the end of runway 27 during the landing roll. The pilot reported no aircraft malfunctions. He stated that the runway lights and the VASI extinguished while on the final approach. He continued the approach, landing at what he believed to be a point 1/4 down the runway. Examination of the accident site indicated that the airplane touched down 120 feet prior to the runway departure threshold. It continued beyond the runway to an embankment, then travelled airborne across a highway beyond the end of the runway.

On May 2, 1993, at about 2250 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N9911M, over ran the end of runway 27, during landing at the Herbert Smart Downtown Airport, Macon, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured, two passengers received serious injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Columbus, Georgia, at about 2200 on the same day.

The pilot reported to a police officer that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. A report filed by the officer (attached) indicated that the pilot stated that the runway lights extinguished three times during his approach to the airport and that the lights were re-illuminated by the pilot.

The pilot stated in his report that the runway lights and the VASI extinguished while the airplane was on the final approach course. He said he landed at a point that he believed to be about one quarter down the 4,695 foot long runway. The airplane floated during the flare, the pilot stated. Once on the runway he noted that the runway lights were off.

According to the statement by inspectors from the Georgia Flight Standards District Office, the airplane touched down 120 feet prior to the end of runway 27. It proceeded another 82 feet beyond the runway threshold to the edge of a 25 foot high embankment, then travelled in the air over a highway located off the end of runway 27.

At 2252, wind conditions at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, about nine miles southwest of the Herbert Smart Downtown Airport, were recorded as 110 degrees at 14 kts., with gusts to 20 kts. The pilot reported variable southwest winds, with the wind sock almost straight out, just before landing.