Incident Overview
A pilot was landing at night at the conclusion of a cross-country flight. On entry to the downwind leg for Runway 19R, the pilot requested that the approach lights be set to full brightness. While on short final, the pilot reported that she encountered excessive glare in her contact lenses from the approach lights, which distracted her. The aircraft subsequently landed short of the runway, colliding with both the approach lights and an airport boundary fence.
Sequence of Events
The flight was a cross-country trip ending with a night landing. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for Runway 19R and asked air traffic control or airport personnel to increase the approach lights to their maximum intensity. As the aircraft progressed to short final, the bright lights caused significant glare in the pilot's contact lenses, diverting her attention. This distraction led to the aircraft touching down before the runway threshold, where it struck the approach light fixtures and then the airport boundary fence.
Damage and Aftermath
The aircraft sustained damage from the collisions with the approach lights and the fence. The approach lights and fence were also damaged. No further information was provided regarding occupant injuries or the extent of aircraft damage.
Investigation Notes
The investigation noted the pilot's account of glare from full-bright approach lights and the resulting distraction. No specific cause was assigned by the source material.