Amateur-built G-1159 accident near Cleveland, Ohio, October 12, 1995
On October 12, 1995 at about 10:00 pm local time, a amateur-built G-1159, registered N635AV, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland Hopkins airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilots' failure to attain the proper touchdown point and avoid obstacles (construction barricades) during the landing flare/touchdown. Related factors were: the sunglare, which limited in the pilots' visual lookout during the approach, and the unavailable (barricaded) section of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 12, 1995 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Cleveland, Ohio · Cleveland Hopkins
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built G-1159
- Registration
- N635AV · no longer on the register · serial 168
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots stated that the flight departed Canada with a stop in Ohio to drop off a passenger and to clear customs. They stated that the flight was uneventful, and they received the ATIS and NOTAMS for the airport. The published NOTAM stated in part: RY 5R-23L NE 1899 ft. clsd due to construction. The copilot stated that as they approached the runway, he did not see any construction, so he assumed the NOTAM was for the departure end of runway 23L. He stated that he used the normal aiming points for the approach, and did not see the barricades until it was too late to avoid them. He stated that the bright sun restricted his visibility and he was unaware of a displaced threshold for runway 23L. The pilot in the right seat stated that he was also blinded by the sunglare. Both pilots reported that they had flown into this airport many times and that there was no mechanical malfunction. They stated that the accident could have been prevented if they had touched down farther along the runway.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 22,635 hours in all; 11,000 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 16,000 as pilot in command; 7,500 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Maximum gross weight: 62,000 lb
- Seats: 17
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce SPEY MK 511-8 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: The Air Group INC.
The flight
- Departed from: CYFB Frobisher OF
- Destination: CLE OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 23L, 8,999 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from CLE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 | |||
| Passengers | 6 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.