Incident Summary
A pilot conducted a night approach to an airport. After overflying the field and observing the runway lights, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for landing. During the final approach, the pilot noticed a rotating beacon and initially believed it to be an aircraft holding short of the runway. As the approach continued, the pilot realized the beacon was attached to a vehicle.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported being distracted by the beacon and initiated a go-around. However, after flying "down a little way," the pilot decided to proceed with the landing. The aircraft touched down on turf adjacent to the left side of the runway. During the landing roll, the aircraft flipped over and came to rest in a trench that ran parallel to and next to the runway.