The Honda Aircraft pilot reported that, after receiving clearance for the night time takeoff, he set the heading bug to the flight heading while entering the runway at the airport in Salt Lake City.
He mistook the left runway edge lights for the runway centerline and attempted a takeoff.
During the takeoff roll, the left wing hit the runway edge lights and the pilot aborted the takeoff.
The left wing sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadvertent attempt to takeoff on a left side of runway, rather than the centerline of runway, which resulted in a collision with runway edge lights during the night time takeoff.
Aircraft:
- 2020 Honda Aircraft HA-420, N789RJ
- Aircraft total time: 443 Hrs
- Engine manufacturer and model/series: Honda/GE, Aero HF120
- Rated horsepower: 2,050 pounds thrust
- Aircraft damage: Substantial
Pilot:
- Age: 49
- Certificates: Private
- Ratings: Single-engine land, Multi-engine land, Airplane Instrument Rating
- Experience: 1,625 hours (Total, all aircraft), 380 hours (Total, this make and model)
- Injuries: None
Incident Details:
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Accident Date and Time: Nov. 15, 2022, 22:15 Local
- Weather at time of accident: Visual meteorological conditions (VMC); Night; Few clouds at 6,000 feet AGL; Visibility 10 miles; Wind 3 knots at 160°; Altimeter 30.55 inches Hg; Temperature -1°C; Dew Point -6°C; No obscuration or precipitation
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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.
Or just a matter of some people can’t manage simple tasks simultaneously or consecutively.Seems to be more common now.
Another classic example of “Net Worth Exceeds Mental Capacity”! How can you possibly mistake the Runway Edge Lights for Runway Centerline Lights????. He must have thought it was a VERY VERY VERY WIDE Runway. My advice to this person is “Stop Flying”! Sooner or later, Darwin is going to catch up to you. It’s amazing that this person lived as long as he/she did.
Whenever I read about a mishap entering the runway, I think about the accident at Lexington, KY. It is such a critical time to follow the yellow runway lead-in line, and verify passing over the correct runway number. Not the time to bring your vision into the cockpit to do some task.
Perhaps should have set heading bug before entering RWY….On my before takeoff checklist it states instruments and radios SET. But what do I know,I not a professional pilot?
The heading bug is going to read the same on the edge of the runway. This is of no consequence in this incident. Runway markings and lighting is what was missed.
I’m betting that during his training, his instructor told him to ‘minimize distractions’ while on the runway. “Setting a heading bug is not a distraction” you say?
All evidence to the contrary.