Incident Overview
During a landing attempt, aircraft N1260A struck pine trees while maneuvering from base leg to final approach. The pilot reported that his primary memory of the event was trying to activate the pilot-controlled runway lighting system, but he did not observe the lights illuminate.
Pilot Account
The pilot of N1260A stated that he focused on activating the runway lights but could not recall seeing them turn on. He provided no further details regarding the sequence leading to the tree contact.
Witness Information
Another pilot, who had landed immediately before N1260A's approach, described the airstrip as nearly entirely covered by a fog bank extending northward. He noted that the fog layer rose from the ground to 500 feet above ground level. Additionally, he confirmed that the pilot-controlled lighting system was functional and operable at the time.
Conclusion
The accident involved the aircraft contacting pine trees during a base-to-final turn. The pilot's recollection centered on unsuccessful attempts to operate the runway lights, while a fellow pilot characterized the visibility conditions as poor due to fog. No further causal factors were identified in the available information.