The pilot reported that he was attempting to land, at night, on an unlit grass airstrip in Huntley, Illinois.
He landed to the right of the runway by about 10 feet.
During the rollout the Piper PA28’s right wing hit a small tree and separated partially from the fuselage at the wing root, resulting in substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to land at night without runway lighting, which resulted in a collision with an object.
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This September 2020 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
