Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue to land at an unlighted airstrip, at night, after the landing light failed on approach, which resulted in a bounced landing, runway excursion, and collision with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported he was making an approach to landing at night to an unlit grass airstrip. According to the pilot, the landing light went out about 100 feet above the ground, and he lost depth perception. The pilot continued the landing and bounced once. The airplane veered off the runway to the right into a cornfield, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to rudder, vertical stabilizer, and left wing. Other than the landing light, the pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported he was making an approach to landing at night to an unlit grass airstrip. According to the pilot, the landing light went out about 100 feet above the ground, and he lost depth perception. The pilot continued the landing and bounced once. The airplane veered off the runway to the right into a cornfield, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to rudder, vertical stabilizer, and left wing. Other than the landing light, the pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.