Accident Summary
On September 19, 2012, about 2035 central daylight time, a Cessna model 177B airplane, N34722, was substantially damaged while landing at M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport (PLK) in Branson, Missouri. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Kimberling Flying Club, Inc., under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Mountain View Airport (MNF), Mountain View, Missouri, about 1938.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot reported having 633 hours of flight experience in airplanes, of which 80 hours were flown at night. He had accumulated 2.6 hours of night experience during the previous 90 days. The accident flight, about 1 hour in duration, was the only night flight reported within the previous 30 days. The pilot was not instrument rated. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported.
Meteorological Information
The closest weather observing station was located at Branson Airport (BBG), about 7 miles south of the accident site. At 2045, the BBG automated surface observing system reported: wind 150 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 25,000 feet above ground level, temperature 17°C, dew point 10°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inches of mercury. The United States Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department reported that sunset and end of civil twilight at PLK were at 1914 and 1939, respectively. The moon phase was a waxing crescent with 17 percent illumination, and moonset occurred about 2132, 57 minutes after the accident.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot, during final approach to runway 12 (3,738 feet by 100 feet, asphalt), the airplane drifted right of the extended runway centerline. He stated that he over-corrected for the drift, resulting in the airplane being left of the centerline. He then initiated a go-around because the airplane was not properly aligned with the runway. However, he was unable to maintain airplane control after losing external visual references in the dark night condition. The airplane impacted a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) located off the left side of the runway before descending into a steep wooded ravine.
Damage and Post-Accident Examination
The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. An examination of the runway by the airport manager revealed several slash-markings consistent with the propeller striking the pavement before the VASI impact and the descent into the ravine. The airport manager reported that the runway's medium intensity edge lighting and runway end identifier lights were operational at the time of the accident.