What happened
The aircraft was on final approach to an airport featuring an unlighted runway. Although the pilot reported that the runway surface was visible during the descent, conditions were deteriorating as darkness approached. The pilot noted that it was getting dark while the airplane was approaching the airport.
Upon touchdown, the pilot lost visual contact with the runway centerline. Consequently, the airplane exited the right side of the paved surface. It then impacted brush along the shoulder and continued to travel forward until it came to rest in a ravine adjacent to the airfield.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the departure from the runway environment. Examination of the site confirmed that the airplane had left the right side of the runway and struck vegetation before entering the ravine. No mechanical failures were identified as contributing factors to the loss of control during the landing roll.
Findings
Contributing factors included the lack of runway lighting and the onset of darkness, which compromised the pilot's ability to maintain lateral alignment with the centerline after touchdown. The pilot's report confirms that visibility was sufficient to see the runway initially but failed to sustain centerline tracking during the critical landing phase.
Safety message
Pilots operating into unlighted airports at night or during twilight should exercise extreme caution. Maintaining visual reference to the centerline is critical for safe rollout, and pilots must be prepared for rapid loss of contrast as ambient light decreases.