Accident Details
During a dark night landing, the pilot activated the runway lights. While on long final, the pilot aligned the airplane with the VASI lights, which are located on the left side of the runway, until the runway edge lights became visible. Just prior to touchdown, the pilot realized that the airplane was over the grass area between the runway and the taxiway west of the runway, and that he had mistaken the taxiway lights for the runway left side edge lights. The airplane touched down in soft mud, collapsing the landing gear.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that he had activated the runway lights for the dark night landing. He aligned the aircraft with the VASI lights on the left side of the runway while on long final, waiting until the runway edge lights were visible. However, just before touchdown, he recognized that he was over the grass area and had mistaken the taxiway lights for the runway's left edge lights.
Runway Condition
Following the incident, it was noted that three of the runway left edge lights were out and/or broken beyond the VASI. The furthest broken light was approximately 1,300 feet down the runway.