Incident Overview
A pilot and three passengers were conducting a night flight in an aircraft configured for skydiving operations. During the approach to land, the landing light malfunctioned and ceased to operate. While the pilot attempted to restore the landing light functionality, an undershoot condition developed. The aircraft subsequently touched down before the runway threshold.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft landed short of the runway surface. Upon striking the runway lip with the nosewheel, the nose gear failed. After the gear collapse, the aircraft slid for approximately 300 feet before nosing over. The incident occurred at an airport equipped with medium-intensity runway lights (MIRL) and threshold lights, but visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights were not installed.
Aircraft and Equipment
The aircraft was specifically equipped to carry skydivers. No further details about the aircraft type, registration, or engine configuration were provided. The failure of the landing light was noted as a contributing element in the sequence leading to the undershoot.
Investigation Status
The investigation focused on the events surrounding the approach and landing. The landing light failure occurred during the approach, and the pilot's actions to address the failure allowed the undershoot to develop. The absence of VASI lights may have affected situational awareness, though no explicit causal link was established.