Flight Details
The pilot was flying to regain night currency, which had lapsed two weeks prior. The intention was to fly three landing pattern approaches and perform three full-stop landings. According to the pilot, the takeoff and initial climb out to a left downwind were normal. A slight haze was present in the vicinity of the airport.
Accident Sequence
While turning to the base leg of the approach, the pilot trimmed the aircraft for 90 mph and lowered the flaps to the first notch. The pilot then observed two white lights on the Vertical Approach Slope Indicator (VASI), indicating the aircraft was above the glide slope. The pilot adjusted the trim to maintain 80 mph and extended the flaps to the third notch. Subsequently, the left wing of the airplane struck a 12-foot-tall blast fence located 20 feet from the end of the runway. The impact resulted in the left wing separating from the fuselage.
Post-Accident Statements
After the accident, the pilot stated that the blast fence was indistinguishable from the runway threshold markings. The VASI was set for a 3-degree glide path, and the runway threshold was displaced 319 feet. The blast fence was properly marked with red and white checker markings on the interior side and was not required to be lit by federal aviation administration facility requirements. The pilot was familiar with the airport.