Accident Details
The aircraft was substantially damaged when the pilot descended on final approach at night without the runway environment in sight and impacted an embankment. The pilot reported becoming disoriented during the VFR flight. He attempted to contact center and approach control facilities, but positive contact was never established.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated: "I could not see the airport beacon, although I thought I could see the airport hangar and airport environment." He noted that he did not see any runway threshold lights, yet "felt very strongly that the runway was below" him. The pilot continued: "I set 30 [degrees] of flap and extended the landing gear for landing. The airplane's landing lights were on at this point looking for the runway."
Impact and Location
The left wing subsequently impacted an embankment, spinning the airplane around 180 degrees as it came to rest in a flooded rice field. The accident site was 6 miles from the nearest airport and 75 miles west-southwest of the intended destination.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the aircraft did not reveal any anomalies. The pilot stated there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. The pilot reported weather conditions during the flight as clear with unrestricted visibility.