# NTSB CHI89LA072: Beech A60, N4445W, Indianapolis, IN, April 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1989, 20:00 local (Apr 13, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.729362, -86.290275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7294&lon=-86.2903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA072

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND/OR DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY WILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARK NIGHT AND PILOT FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - approach light/navaid

## Analysis

WHILE ON THE FINAL APPROACH, APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF APPROACH LIGHTS AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES. THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGED SEVENTEEN APPROACH LIGHTS ON A TOTAL OF FIVE SUPPORT STRUCTURES, BUT WAS SAFELY LANDED AND TAXIED TO THE RAMP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE EXECUTED A NON-STANDARD APPROACH AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL AIRSPEED, IN AN EFFORT TO ACCOMMODATE FASTER TRAFFIC BEHIND HIM ON THE APPROACH. HE SAID HIS NON-STABILIZED APPROACH RESULTED IN 'AN UNDETECTED INCREASE IN THE RATE OF DESCENT...' HE SAID THAT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT THE END OF A FATIGUING DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4445W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4445W), registered now, S/N P-245, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A60
- Registry model: [Beech A60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a60) (registry code 1153604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P245
- Airframe hours: 1900
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-541-E1C4 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gilbert Davidson
- Registered owner: Davidson Management Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1988, 70 hours before
- Departed: FWA, FT. WAYNE, IN
- Airport: IND, Indianapolis, runway 22R, 10,005 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,120 total, 2,248 in this make and model, 5,100 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND

## 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 19890412009709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890412009709A), Apr 12, 1989: Beech 60, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Long low distabilized approach resulted in colliding with 17 approach lights while on final for the runway.

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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