Event Sequence
The airplane experienced a bounced landing and subsequently veered off the eastern edge of the runway. It then struck the ground and a cement culvert. The accident occurred under night visual meteorological conditions with gusting crosswinds.
Pilot Statements
According to the pilot, the landing light failed during the approach, and the instrument panel lights became inoperative. A passenger's flashlight also stopped working after the instrument panel lights failed. After touchdown, the pilot stated that he leveled the yoke and pulled back. A gust of wind then rapidly moved the airplane off the runway.
Aircraft Inspection
Postaccident inspection revealed that the flaps were set to 30 degrees. The rear passenger seats were not equipped with shoulder harnesses. A subsequent operational test of the landing and instrument panel lights, lasting about 30 seconds, showed that none of the instrument panel lights illuminated. However, the overhead lights and the landing light did illuminate. No circuit breakers were found tripped during this test.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated 69 total flight hours, with 22 hours in the accident airplane. He had no night flying experience in the accident airplane. His airman medical certificate included the limitation: "not valid for night flight or by color signal control."