On January 11, 1990, a Mooney M20K (registration N5792M) was involved in an aviation accident near Mineola, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY SURFACE. RELATED FACTORS WERE: DARKNESS AND PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a night landing at an unfamiliar airport, a pilot made several passes to assess inoperative edge lighting, touched down on the last third of the runway, veered off to avoid a barrier, and struck a fence and dirt bank.
Background
During a night approach to an unfamiliar airport, the pilot conducted several passes over the field to evaluate the runway conditions. The pilot noted that the edge lighting on one side of the runway was inoperative.
Incident
The pilot proceeded to land the aircraft, touching down on the final third of the runway. To avoid a barrier that extended across the departure end of the runway, the pilot veered the aircraft off the paved surface.
Outcome
The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft before it collided with a fence and a dirt bank. The aircraft sustained damage in the collision.