Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to not activate the runway lighting and misjudged the runway location, which resulted in a collision with a windsock.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported he intended to land after sunset and did not activate the runway lighting. During final approach, the airplane collided with the airport windsock and landed next to the runway. During the landing roll the pilot maneuvered the airplane onto the runway and stopped on a taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when it impacted the windsock. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations and that he misjudged the runway location.