Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath resulting in a collision with an object. Factors were the dark night and the pilot's disregard for the lack of lights.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot made two attempts to land on a dark night to an unlighted grass strip. On his third attempt he allowed the aircraft to sink too low and slow. A passenger warned the pilot to 'get it up' and the pilot applied full power; however, it struck a fence. Following the fence strike the pilot pulled off power and the aircraft collided with the terrain, coming to rest 30 yards from the fence.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 1, 1994, at 2040 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N16191, was substantially damaged during landing near Booker, Texas. The airplane, flown by a commercial pilot, was on a personal flight from Dodge City, Kansas. No flight plan was filed and dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot made two previous attempts to land on the unlighted grass strip and executed two go-arounds. He further reported that on the third attempt to land he allowed the aircraft to "settle lower and slower than planned." The passenger stated "get it up" and the pilot applied "full power to climb." The pilot reported that immediately following the addition of power he "heard and felt a crunch." The pilot reduced power following the crunching sound and the aircraft struck the ground. After the pilot and his passenger exited the aircraft they discovered that the aircraft had struck a fence causing damage to the firewall and landing gear. -