Accident Details
The accident occurred at night while the pilot was completing a flight of approximately 7 hours. The pilot was using visual cues from the airport environment to position the aircraft for a visual approach and landing. The terrain south of the airport rises several hundred feet above the airport elevation and is sparsely lit. The aircraft touched down two miles short of Runway 34R in an open pasture at an elevation roughly 400 feet higher than the airport. According to the pilot's logbook, he had flown about one hour of night time in the preceding 90 days. All three occupants sustained injuries, two of them serious.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified several factors contributing to the accident. The pilot operated in dark night conditions and became lost or disoriented inadvertently. Issues with visual and aural perception were noted. Fatigue was a factor, as was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area and lack of recent experience in the type of operation. The pilot misjudged altitude and did not maintain clearance from rising terrain.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the official findings, is as follows: Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water Phase of operation: approach Findings 1. (f) light condition - dark night 2. (c) became lost/disoriented - inadvertent - pilot in command 3. (f) visual/aural perception - pilot in command 4. (f) fatigue - pilot in command 5. (f) lack of familiarity with geographic area - pilot in command 6. (f) lack of recent experience in type operation - pilot in command 7. (c) altitude - misjudged - pilot in command 8. Terrain condition - rising 9. (c) clearance - not maintained - pilot in command