Event BFO94LA050

Factual narrative

On Thursday, February 24, 1994, about 0640 hours central standard time, a Beech BE-400 airplane, N8279G, piloted by Stephen C. Berry, collided with the terrain during landing at Cuyahoga County Airport near Cleveland, Ohio. The certificated airline transport pilot and co-pilot and their four passengers were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. The airplane, being flown on a sales demonstration/business flight, was operated by Beechcraft Sales - South, Incorporated of Wichita, Kansas. The flight originated in Finely, Ohio at 0600 eastern standard time and was arriving at its destination when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight crew reported they were executing an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 23 at Cuyahoga County Airport. They reported "breaking out" at 1,800 feet above ground level. The pilot-in-command stated "After entering VFR conditions no runway lights were observed. The co-pilot attempted to turn on the lights by keying the VHF transmitter." They further reported that they continued the approach for landing and had the VASI lights in sight. Runway 23 does not have a VASI, but it has an approach lighting system. They said that they realized they were not going to land on the runway, but it was too late to execute a go-around. The airplane impacted a grass area between runway 23 and taxiway Alpha. FAA safety inspectors examined the airplane cockpit and found the co-pilot's radio tuning unit to exhibit the frequency of 121.8 in the COM 1 position and 122.8 in the preselect. U.S. Terminal Procedures effective January 6, 1994, to March 3, 1994, designates, 118.5 as the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, 122.95 as Unicom, and 121.8 as ground control. The Cuyahoga County airport manager was telephonically interviewed and stated he was unaware of any malfunctions or problems with the lighting system and confirmed the above frequencies. During the approach, the copilot attempted to turn on the runway lights by keying his microphone, but could not get the lights to activate. They further reported that they continued the approach and had the VASI lights in sight. The runway did not have VASI lights. About one minute before touchdown, the copilot said he did know where the runway was, but for the pilot '...to hold what he had.' About 45 seconds before touchdown the pilot said he had the '...runway now.' The copilot said he had the runway in sight also. They continued the approach until the airplane collided with terrain between the runway and a taxiway. The runway lights did not activate. Examination revealed that none of the communications radios were tuned to the proper frequency to activate the lights. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12