Accident Summary
On July 1, 2016, at about 2206 central daylight time, a Czech Aircraft Works Sportcruiser, registration N236SC, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on Interstate Highway 35 (I-35) near Wyoming, Minnesota. The sport pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The aircraft was operated under Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and the flight was not conducted on a flight plan. The flight had departed Cambridge Municipal Airport (CBG), Cambridge, Minnesota, about 2000 for a local flight.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he could not locate CBG because of darkness. With the airplane low on fuel and unable to see any airport beacon, he elected to land on a road, which turned out to be I-35. During the landing roll, he attempted to steer the airplane into the ditch between the northbound and southbound lanes to avoid traffic, but the right wing struck a wire road divider post, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot noted that no mechanical issues were present during the flight.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The aircraft had no preexisting defects that contributed to the event.