Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to land at night without runway lighting, which resulted in a collision with an object.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was attempting to land, at night, on an unlit grass airstrip. The pilot landed to the right of the runway by about 10 ft. During the rollout the right wing hit a small tree and separated partially from the fuselage at the wing root, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.