Incident Overview
A pilot reported becoming disoriented during a flight in dark night conditions about two-thirds of the way to his destination airport. According to the pilot, he circled over a nearby town for approximately one hour but could not identify any visual references to aid in navigation.
Ground Assistance
The pilot contacted a family member on the ground, who used a phone tracking application to provide guidance to the destination airport. The pilot stated that he then spotted what he believed to be the destination airport and maneuvered for an approach.
Landing
During the landing flare, the pilot realized he was not at the airport. He landed on a roadway approximately 6 miles from his intended destination. While landing, the airplane struck trees, touched down on the road, veered left, and impacted a light pole.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.