The pilot reported that, on final approach at night to the airport in Gainesville, Florida, while speaking with the control tower, the Cessna 310’s left horizontal stabilizer hit a tree.
He added full power, pitched up, the airplane yawed left, and he resumed final approach.
The airplane landed without further incident, but sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach path at night, which resulted in a tree strike.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA243
This April 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
A 7504 ft runway with a PAPI and the pilot undershoots. Apparently another example of how powerful the illusion is of overshooting on a night approach. Instead of being guided by a VASI, pilots illogically attempt to use the green threshold lights or the nearest runway edge lights to set the descent trajectory. I think we’ve all been there. Overcoming that illusion and learning to establish that trajectory to the VASI or about the fourth white runway edge lights at night is critical for safe night approaches.