Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain clearance from trees during a night approach.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that, during the night flight, he made an initial pass to locate the airfield and to turn on the runway lights via the radio. He rejected the first approach when he lost sight of the landing area. He visually reacquired the field and began his second approach. During the second approach, he saw the runway lights from the approach end to the departure end and the windsock to the left of the runway. He recalled that he felt that the airplane was slightly low. He stated that, while he was on what he believed was short final, trees appeared in front of the windscreen, and trees limbs and branches began to hit the airplane. The airplane began to severely vibrate and shimmy, so the pilot reduced power and pushed the yoke forward to force the airplane onto the ground. The airplane collided with the ground, and the airframe was substantially damaged.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot stated that during a night flight he made an initial pass to locate the airfield and turn on the runway lights via radio. The first approach was aborted when he lost sight of the landing area. He visually re-acquired the field and began his second approach. During the second approach, he saw the runway lights from the approach end to the departure end and the wind sock to the left of the runway. He recalled that he felt slightly low during the approach. On what he believed was short final, he stated that trees appeared in front of the windscreen. Trees limbs and branches began to hit the airplane. The airplane began to severely vibrate and shimmy, so the pilot reduced power and pushed the yoke forward to force the airplane on the ground. The airplane collided with the ground and the airframe was substantially damaged.