What happened
During a nighttime operation near Newton, the pilot attempted to land the aircraft on terrain that was not prepared for aviation use. The landing area was only partially visible, as it was being illuminated by flashlights. During the touchdown, the landing gear failed, causing the aircraft to crash. The impact resulted in one serious injury to the pilot and one minor injury to the passenger. The aircraft sustained heavy damage and was declared a total loss.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors regarding the landing sequence. The pilot failed to properly align the aircraft with the intended touchdown zone and miscalculated both the approach speed and the distance to the surface. Additionally, the landing area lacked proper lighting, relying solely on handheld lights. Other factors noted in the investigation included an intentional ground loop, potential structural failure due to overloading, and the selection of an unsuitable landing site.