Incident Details
During a dark night approach, a pilot reported a sequence of events leading to a collision with trees and terrain. After circling the airport to determine the active runway, the pilot configured the aircraft for landing by lowering the landing gear. On final approach, he noticed that the landing gear indicator lights were not properly illuminated. He attempted to verify whether the gear was in the safe position for landing.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, as he continued the approach, he observed the lighted wind tee passing by approximately midfield. Concluding that there was insufficient runway remaining to land, he decided to execute a go-around. During this maneuver, he stated that he must have inadvertently switched off the panel lights. The pilot noted that this action automatically brightens the gear position lights. In an attempt to retrieve a flashlight in the cockpit, he unknowingly banked the aircraft to the right of the runway. Subsequently, the aircraft struck trees and then impacted the terrain.
Aircraft Design Feature
The aircraft involved in this event was designed with a feature that automatically dims the gear position lights when the panel lights are activated. This feature is intended to reduce cockpit glare. The pilot's inadvertent deactivation of the panel lights caused the gear position lights to become brighter, which may have contributed to the distraction.