Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance. A factor was the dark night.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a series of practice visual approaches to an airfield the airplane struck a tree, approximately 60 to 80 feet tall, on the third approach approximately a half mile short of the landing threshold. The pilot stated that he observed the vasi system during the approach, it indicated the lights in the red. After the tree strike the pilot regained control and circled to land on the opposite runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
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