The pilot of the amphibious Cessna 175 reported that while on final approach to Runway 26 at the airport in Gilford, New Hampshire, he had trouble seeing the runway due to glare from the setting sun.
He recalled making “…continuous efforts to block the sun glare.”
He planned to make a gradual descent on the final approach to get the best forward view and peripheral views of the area. While descending, he told investigators that “the brightness inside the cockpit made it difficult to observe instruments. I descended towards what I was convinced was the runway. I remember nothing else from that time forward.”
The airplane subsequently struck the roof of a business, and the wreckage came to rest next to the building in the parking lot.
The airplane’s fuselage, both wings, empennage, and floats were substantially damaged.
The pilot sustained serious injuries in the crash.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to continue the approach to land in conditions where he was unable to see in front of the airplane due to sun glare, which resulted in a collision with a building.
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This November 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Unless the winds were blowing, should have land in the other direction or gone to another airport. Get home itis always ends badly.
I agree.! Looking at the Wx at the time, the winds were variable at 7, 30 minutes later they were ‘0’.
Even with a tailwind, landing on rwy 08 would be easy with 5,000 ft.
Oh, and it’s on floats…why not land on the lake nearby until the Sun sets..?
More stupid pilot tricks and a totaled aircraft. [ and a damaged building he is liable for. ]
In the Olden Days you could click the PTT on the mic to turn on the runway lights. How about a new app to click the mic 10 times to dim the sun for a predetermined short time? Seems like an idea who’s time has arrived!
Regards/J
The collision point is close to the extended centerline but about 1500ft short of the threshold. Seems like a steeper approach not shallower would have helped reduce the sun glare. Wondering if he came in gradually because of his seaplane background. The runway is about 5000ft – wind 10kts – was landing with a quartering tailwind (230) on runway 8 an option in this aircraft?
My main question about “UNLEADED” is what is difference between unleaded 91-92 octane auto fuel & unleaded higher 100 octane Swift? We already have 91-92 octane UNLEADDED auto fuel available as some local stations. TWELVE YEAR to produce fuel that has been readily available via 5 gallon gas cans. AN STC (cost $3-500.00?) to use required MANDATED fuel, readily available seems like a bait & switch scheme years in the making. I am no longer flying due to realization, age affects my abililties with reacion times & sight, but does NOT affect my mind. Wont be long now, before the powers will be pushing for all electric airplanes. Everything controlled by the $$$.
This reply does not seem relevant to the mishap being discussed.