Diamond Star pilot reported their navigation displays failed at night resulting in an unstable approach and a prop strike.

Date: 2023-09 · Aircraft: DA40 Diamond Star · Phase: landing

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-clearance|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-event-encounter-ground-strike-aircraft|inflight-event-encounter-unstabilized-approach

Synopsis

Diamond Star pilot reported their navigation displays failed at night resulting in an unstable approach and a prop strike.

Narrative

On Day 1 at approximately XA17 hours; I was on final and had the Runway in sight. At around 200 ft. AGL; I looked at my instruments to make sure everything was configured correctly; and the CDI and heading indicator went out. The CDI was blank and the heading showed an 'x' over 'HDG'. At the same time; the PFD began to dim and brighten before going dark. I made the decision to land the aircraft with a full stop because I had the Runway in visual range. I flared too much and too high which caused me to porpoise three times. I got the aircraft under control and requested a taxi back to Ramp. I was not aware I had struck the prop until I returned to Ramp and completed a visual inspection. After considering what had occurred; the issue was likely due to a too-high airspeed. Initially; when the instruments were failing; I was at the correct airspeed; but then the MFD began to get darker and i had to switch to my steam gauges. The issue I came across; was that the cockpit was now darker and I could not see my steam gauges very well; which led me to not flying the correct airspeed at touchdown. I wanted to focus my attention on the Runway; rather than adjust the flood light in the cockpit because making sure I land on the Runway at the correct spot was more important than focusing on my instruments at such a critical time. A takeaway from this; is now when I am flying at night; I will make sure I have adequate lighting within the cockpit; in the case that I have to switch from my glass screens to my backup instruments quickly; and don't have time to adjust the lighting.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.