What happened
The pilot had previously completed four successful approaches during nighttime operations. For this specific flight, the objective was to execute a short-field approach with the aircraft's landing light turned off. During the final segment of the approach, the pilot realized that the aircraft was descending too rapidly and appeared to be getting too low relative to the intended flight path.
In response to this situation, the pilot activated the landing light but continued the descent without aborting or climbing out. The aircraft impacted a snowbank located 50 feet short of the runway threshold. Following the initial impact, the aircraft continued forward into the snowbank, resulting in significant structural damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the subsequent impact. Examination of the wreckage and review of the pilot's actions indicated that the decision to continue the approach after recognizing the low altitude was a critical factor. The lack of adequate lighting during the initial phase of the final approach likely contributed to the pilot's inability to accurately judge height and distance.
Findings
Several factors contributed to this accident. The primary issue was the pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath during a night short-field approach. The decision to turn on the landing light only after realizing the aircraft was too low provided insufficient time to correct the descent rate. Additionally, the presence of snow near the runway created a hazardous obstacle that was not avoided in time.
Safety message
Pilots conducting night approaches should ensure that lighting systems are operational and utilized appropriately to maintain situational awareness. Short-field approaches require precise energy management and early recognition of deviations from the desired flight path. Continuing an approach after recognizing a low-altitude deviation without taking immediate corrective action can lead to controlled flight into terrain.