SERS · PIPER PA-28 · 2013-05-07 · Cottonwood, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
WPR13CA219
Event ID
20130507X41157
Type
Accident
Date
2013-05-07
Location
Cottonwood, AZ, USA
Coordinates
34.729999, -112.035003
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
1
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
PIPER
Model
PA-28
Registration
N47717
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
NITE
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The student pilot's decision to attempt a night landing on an unlit runway, which resulted in a misaligned approach and subsequent collision with a fence. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper set-up of the airplane radios, which resulted in his inability to activate the airport runway lights, and his mistaken identification of building lights for runway lights.