Incident Overview
The pilot of an airplane reported that approximately 40 miles from the intended destination, the aircraft's lights began blinking on and off due to a short circuit in the electrical system. In response, the pilot elected to divert and land at Goldsboro, having been aware that the runway lights at that airport were inoperative.
Landing Sequence
During the landing attempt, the airplane touched down about 20 feet to the left of the runway surface, in the grass area adjacent to the runway. The aircraft subsequently collided with a piece of cultivating equipment that was present in that area.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, an examination of the wreckage was conducted. The landing light was operated several times during the examination and was found to function normally, with no evidence of the intermittent short that had been reported during the flight.
Conclusion
The investigation did not provide a stated probable cause for the accident. The incident involved an electrical short affecting the aircraft's lights, a diversion to an airport with inoperative runway lights, and a landing that deviated left of the runway, resulting in a collision with ground equipment.