Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to land at night without runway lighting, which resulted in a collision with an object.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was attempting to land, at night, on an unlit grass airstrip. The pilot landed to the right of the runway by about 10 ft. During the rollout the 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 preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA405 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 19, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Huntley, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Phyllis Field (6IL2)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N43020
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1974
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.