Incident Overview
A pilot flying under visual flight rules (VFR) departed Big Spring, Texas, with two passengers, bound for Saginaw Airport in Saginaw, Texas. The pilot navigated using the Mineral Wells (MWL) VOR on the 065 radial, descending to the pattern altitude for Saginaw Airport. He stated that he had not previously been to that airport.
Smoke Obscuration
Heavy smoke from a grass fire burnoff was obscuring a large area to the north and east of the Saginaw Airport runway. The FAA investigator, who was at the takeoff end of the Saginaw Airport at the time of the incident, observed the heavy grass fire smoke obscuring a large area across the approach end of Saginaw Airport and the ILS final approach course to Meacham Field.
The Landing
Upon entering the smoke area, the pilot identified what appeared to be a runway and initiated a landing. However, the airplane touched down on a street approximately 3/4 mile east of Saginaw Airport. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a two-inch pipe warning sign, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. There was no fire, and no injuries were reported. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was not activated.
Pilot Information
The pilot is blind in his left eye.
Damage
Substantial damage to the right wing.