SWAINSBORO, GA, USA
N73944
CESSNA 172N
THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT THE UNLIGHTED, TURF AIRSTRIP IN DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN PLOWED DIRT BORDERING THE RWY AND NOSED OVER DURING ROLLOUT. THE PLT HAD NO PREVIOUS FLT EXPERIENCE AT THE AIRSTRIP. EXAMINATION OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AIRSTRIP REVEALED THAT THE DIRT AREA WAS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME LENGTH & WIDTH AS THE RWY, AND LIGHTER IN COLOR THAN THE RWY & SURROUNDING TERRAIN. THE DIRT AREA STOOD OUT IN CONTRAST COMPARED TO THE RWY AND OTHER SURROUNDING TERRAIN.
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND AT AN UNLIGHTED AIRSTRIP IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS, AND HER SUBSEQUENT, INADVERTENT SELECTIONOF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN BORDERING THE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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