Bellanca 17-30 N4757V accident near Clearwater, Florida

Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper use of a supplemental cockpit lighting during approach.

NTSB analysis

During a night flight approximately 10 minutes before landing, the pilot turned on a flashlight in order to read the checklist items and check the gauges. The flashlight lens was white, and turning on a white light during a night flight is contrary to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular (AC) 61-21A. Bright white light can cause illusions after the white light is turned on. Prior to landing the pilot was given the wind as being from 120 degrees at 10 knots with no gusts, and elected to land on runway 09 with no flaps extended. During the landing flare she reported the landing light circuit breaker tripped rendering the landing light inoperative. During the landing roll she reported seeing what she thought was an animal or bird on the runway and applied the airplane’s normal brakes. The airplane departed the left side of the runway onto grass and the landing gear collapsed. Inspection of the airplane by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the brakes or landing gear.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08LA195 for the full record.