Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to attempt a night landing without runway lighting. A contributing factor was inoperative runway lights.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot attempted a night landing on an unlighted runway. Prior to landing, he said he tried to activate the runway lights, but was unable to turn the lights on. The pilot noted that since there was moonlight and he was familiar with the airport; he elected to land without the runway lights. He reported that he thought he could see the runway, and that he was on the runway, until "he felt the nose-wheel sink." The airplane came to rest inverted. An inspection of the runway lighting system revealed that the lights were not functioning properly.
Source record
Factual narrative
The 1,196-hour private pilot, who reported having accumulated 22 hours in make and model, attempted a night landing on an unlighted runway. The pilot stated that he left the departure airport a bit later than planned, and therefore his arrival at the accident airport, was about 1900. Prior to landing, the pilot tried to activate the runway lights, but was unable to turn the lights on. The pilot added, that since there was moonlight and he was familiar with the airport; he would attempt a landing before diverting to another airfield. The pilot also reported that he thought he could see the runway, and he was on the runway until, "he felt the nose-wheel sink". The airplane subsequently came to rest in an inverted position, and the pilot and passengers were able to exit the airplane unassisted. An inspection of the runway lighting system revealed that the lights were not functioning properly.