Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's delay in initiating a go-around during a night landing. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot misjudging distance and speed resulting a overshooting the touchdown, the night light condition, his lack of night flying experience in a CESSNA 172, and his failure to turn off the carburetor heat during the go-around.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Witnesses reported that the airplane touched down about half way down the 2,000 ft runway. The pilot added power and executed a go-around. The airplane struck a power pole located 38 ft above the runway elevation and 958 ft from the departure end of the runway. The airplane came to rest inverted in an adjacent field. The flaps were found down 10 deg and the carburetor heat was in the on position. The pilot had not recorded any night flying experience in the accident airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
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