20180919013339A

N67WR departed columbus airport (kcsg) enroute to tri Cities airport (ktri). No issues were reported by the pilot in command (PIC) during transit to ktri. N67WR arrived in ktri airspace at approximately 2005 local. The PIC stated that upon arrival that it was nearly night fall with little ambient light. Once in ktri airspace the PIC made contact with approach control. Approach control transferred him ktri tower. The PIC stated that he entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg and was approximately 4000 feet AGL. He also stated that on the downwind leg the aircraft was on an angle that was parallel to the runway or slightly closing on the runway. Ktri tower cleared him to land using visual flight rules. The PIC reported that he had the runway in sight. The PIC felt as if his approach was fast so he partially deployed the aircaft air brake to slow his approach and to lower his altitude. He also raised the nose of the aircraft to help with the slowing of the aircraft but continued his decent. During his decent the PIC noticed that his altitude was too low and input more throttle to gain airspeed and altitude. The PIC states that the engine did not respond. The aircraft struck the approach approximately 700 feet short of runway 23. After the initial impact the aircraft struck two additional sets of approach lights before impacting the ground approximately 450 feet short of the runway. The first three sets of approach lights were knocked to the ground. The aircraft slid between two more sets of approach lights, striking both sets, and came to rest approximately 200 feet short of the runway. The aircraft was pointing approximately 180 degrees from the original direction of travel. The PIC and passenger suffered serious injuries but were able to climb from the aircraft. Upon inspection of the aircraft, orange paint could be seen on the left side of the aircraft nose, the left wing leading edge and trailing edge. All three areas suffered substantial damage. Orange paint was also observed on the left main landing gear assembly and the nose landing gear wheel. Both were detached from the aircraft. The orange paint matches the orange paint of the airport approach light assemblies. All flight control surfaces were found either still attached to the aircraft on in the debris field. However, flight control continuity was not able to be tested due to the extent of damage. Upon examination of the ground impact area, ground scars of the propeller were noted to indicate the propeller was turning. Photographs of the scene and aircraft were taken.