NTSB Factual Report

On March 19, 2007, approximately 1615 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney Aircraft M20K, sustained substantial damage after impacting approach light standards and terrain while on final approach to Runway 14 at the Yuba County Airport (MYV), Marysville, California. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane departed MYV approximately 1605.

In a telephone interview and in a written report submitted to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that the intent of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings. The pilot stated that after departing Runway 14 and on a left downwind at the non-towered (Air Traffic Control) airport, he heard another airplane call in that was on the Instrument Landing Approach to Runway 14. The pilot reported that as he was not certain how far out the other airplane was, he elected to extend his downwind leg. The pilot further reported that after making visual contact with the other airplane he turned onto his base leg, however, farther out than his normal distance. The pilot stated, "[I] completed [the] before landing check[list] and reported extended final." The pilot revealed, "[I] next sighted [an] unlighted height bar in my windshield immediately in front of me, clipped it off and immediately encountered [a] field of approach lights, which I tried to avoid. [The] aircraft caught [its] left wing (I think) and came to rest short of the runway." The pilot further revealed that the unlighted height approach bars blend in with the surroundings, and that he should have activated the runway and approach lights while on base leg. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine's firewall and the outboard section of its left wing, and there was no post-crash fire.

At 1553, the MYV Automated Surface Observing System reported wind 170 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 23 degrees C, dew point 9 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain a proper glidepath while on final approach and his failure to maintain clearance, which resulted in an undershoot and subsequent collision with the runway's approach light standards. A factor was the approach light standards.