Accident Overview
A single-engine airplane was substantially damaged when it overran the runway pavement during a night landing and subsequently encountered a drainage ditch, causing the nose landing gear to collapse and damaging the firewall.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that upon approaching the airport, she attempted to activate the runway lights using the aircraft radio. The lights did not illuminate after three attempts. She then overflow the airport to identify the runway, flying a downwind leg to where she estimated the end of the runway would be, then turned onto final approach. She noted flying low over the runway to see the centerline and decided to land.
After touchdown, she realized the airplane had landed well down the runway and was unable to stop before the end of the pavement. The aircraft rolled into the grass. As the airplane slowed, she attempted to turn back, but the aircraft encountered a drainage ditch, causing the nose landing gear to collapse and damaging the firewall.
Post-Accident Findings
Following the accident, the pilot discovered that the radio had been set to 120.9 MHz instead of the correct Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) for the destination airport, which was 122.9 MHz. The airport manager reported that the runway lights functioned properly when activated after the accident. He also noted that the lights are normally off until activated by a pilot via the CTAF.
Damage Assessment
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a collapsed nose landing gear and a damaged firewall, as a result of the ditch encounter.