Columbus-John Glenn (Port Columbus) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

N458J was landing during a rain shower. As the airplane started to flare for landing, the wind caused it to drift to the right. The pilot started to correct this drift, as the rain became heavier. During the touchdown, the pilot lost visual reference with the runway, yet he continued with the landing roll. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and ran into soft terrain. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The failure of the pilot to maintain visual reference with the runway during a landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's failure to initiate a go-around, after he lost sight of the runway during the touchdown. Factors related to the accident were the heavy rain and the lack of runway centerline lights.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Columbus: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1980 at 0241 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Volonteer Aviation

Registration:

N23RJ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Columbus - Louisville

MSN:

411-0287

YOM:

1969

Location:

Columbus-John Glenn (Port Columbus)

Ohio

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3300

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Columbus-Port Columbus Airport, while in initial climb, both engines suffered a partial loss of power. The airplane stalled, entered a spin and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure during initial climb after fuel system: pumps sheared. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Left engine fuel pump sheared,
- Left and right auxiliary fuel pumps found in low position.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK in Columbus: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1948 at 0600 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Bruning Aviation

Registration:

NC36498

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Pittsburgh – Columbus

MSN:

12527

YOM:

1944

Location:

Columbus-John Glenn (Port Columbus)

Ohio

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2150

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2400

Copilot / Total hours on type:

500

Aircraft flight hours:

3300

Circumstances:

Captain De Cicco took over the controls of the aircraft shortly after the flight had passed the Newark fan marker, and started an instrument approach to the Port Columbus Airport. Altitude was reduced to 1,600 feet which was the minimum for that part of the instrument approach to Columbus. However, Captain De Cicco continued his descent below 1,600 feet despite the objections of Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole stated that he immediately engaged himself in a search of the cockpit for an instrument approach chart for Columbus, presumably to show Captain De Cicco that an altitude of 1,600 feet was required until over the Summit Hill fan marker. The descent was continued, and just as the aircraft emerged below the overcast Mr. Cole looked up to see the trees into which the aircraft flew. The first tree struck extended approximately 90 feet above the terrain, the elevation of which was 1,055 feet. The aircraft continued in a straight line, striking a second tree 60 feet away from the first. At this point the right horizontal stabilizer tip and the right elevator were sheared from the empennage A third tree was struck, 265 feet from the first point of contact, and miscellaneous fuselage parts and the right wing were torn from the aircraft. The airplane then made contact with the ground at which time both propellers were broken from the engines. The main body of the wreckage came to rest and burned 1,150 feet from the first point of impact. The pilot was killed, but the co-pilot, although seriously injured has substantially recovered.

Probable cause:

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the continuation of an instrument approach below an altitude sufficient to clear the terrain en route.
The following factors were considered as contributory:
- At the scene of the crash, 6 miles east of Port Columbus Airport, the ground elevation is 1,055 feet, and at the time of the accident the ceiling was reported over the Port Columbus Airport to be 300 feet and visibility one mile,
- The pilot did not follow the standard instrument approach procedure to the Columbus Airport but reduced his altitude below the minimum allowable of 1,600 feet between the Newark and Summit Hill fan markers, located 23 and 5 miles east of Port Columbus Airport respectively; and the aircraft struck the top of trees at an altitude of approximately 1,140 feet.

Final Report: