GAA19CA525

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while performing landings for night currency, he misjudged the approach and the airplane landed short on the engineered materials arrestor system prior to the runway threshold. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The approach end of the runway is near the edge of a plateau upon which the airport sits with rising terrain leading up to the approach end of the runway. The terrain prior to the runway is about 370 ft lower than the approach end of the runway. Archived Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for the date of the accident stated that: RWY 05 VASI OUT OF SERVICE RUNWAY 05 RWY END ID LGT OUT OF SERVICE The pilot reported that, while performing landings for night currency, he misjudged the approach, and the airplane landed short of the runway and then impacted the engineered materials arrestor system, which was about 370 ft lower than the approach end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Archived NOTAMs for the date of the accident reported that the runway's visual approach slope indicator and end lighting were out of service. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-(general)-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Sloped/uneven terrain-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Dark-Effect on personnel - C
• — Environmental issues-Operating environment-Approach aid coverage/avail-Visual approach aid-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Operating environment-Approach aid coverage/avail-Approach lighting-Not specified