Oct 17, 2017
Accident
Substantial Gustavus, OH
Injuries1 serious
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 091
Probable Cause
The pilot’s geographic disorientation while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern in dark night conditions, which resulted in the airplane descending below a normal approach path and a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent night flight experience.
NTSB CEN18LA014