Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue to land at an unlighted airstrip, at night, after the landing light failed on approach, which resulted in a bounced landing, runway excursion, and collision with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported he was making an approach to landing at night to an unlit grass airstrip. According to the pilot, the landing light went out about 100 feet above the ground, and he lost depth perception. The pilot continued the landing and bounced once. The airplane veered off the runway to the right into a cornfield, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to rudder, vertical stabilizer, and left wing.
Other than the landing light, the pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA290 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 20, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Shiocton, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Shiocton Airport (W34)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night, dark
Cessna 172M
- N-number
- N20079
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1972
- 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.