FTW04LA175

The 856-hour private pilot reported that during a precautionary landing during night visual conditions, the airplane landed hard in an uneven field. The pilot stated that he was unable to locate the airport due to the darkness and intense light from fireworks adjacent to his location. Due to his low-fuel situation, the pilot elected to fly to an incorporated area and land. The pilot further stated that during the approach to a field, he saw the ground through the side window and thought he was approximately 10 feet above the ground at the time of impact.

On July 4, 2004, at 2110 central daylight time, an Aeronca-Bubeck single-engine airplane, N6030T, was substantially damaged upon collision with an obstruction during a precautionary landing near Burleson, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport (LAW), near Lawton, Oklahoma, approximately 1915, with an intended destination of Fort Worth Spinks Airport (FWS), near Fort Worth, Texas.

The 856-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that the airplane was operating "normally," and that he arrived near FWS after dusk. The pilot stated that the airplane was not equipped with a landing light. The pilot further reported that he could not distinguish the airport due to darkness and the intensity of the fireworks, so he elected to execute a precautionary landing to an open pasture. The pilot stated that he was "low" on fuel and did not want to have to "dead-stick" the airplane into a populated area, so he flew west to the open country. After locating a large area with no lights, the pilot circled around the area twice to detect obstacles. Observing only darker spots in the field, the pilot assumed they were trees and creeks. After executing a final circle over the area, the pilot lined up with the field and looked through the side window on final to observe the ground. When he saw the ground, he assumed that the airplane was approximately 10 feet above the ground, but at that point the landing gear contacted the ground and the pilot "rolled out."

Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed several tears in the fabric covering the underneath portion of the airplane, and one large hole in the right wing fabric just aft of the rear wing strut. The engine firewall was torn approximately 8 to 10 inches. The object impacted by the airplane was hidden by the tall grass.

According to the United States Naval Observatory, civil twilight occurred at 2107, the official sunset was at 2039, and the accident occurred at 2110.