The Australian Transport Safety Board has completed its investigation into a fatal Cirrus SR22 crash near Shepparton, Victoria, last year.
SR22 VH-CKS crashed into trees during a night approach to a private airstrip at Boxwood on 27 June, 2013.
According to the investigation report, both the pilot and the aircraft were suitable for night visual flying, but the private strip was not approprate for night operations, and was lit only by the headlights of a car.
"The pilot was appropriately licensed to operate the visual flight rules category aircraft at night and had passed a number of airports in the vicinity, all of which were appropriate for a night landing," the ATSB reports.
"However, consistent with a degree of self-imposed pressure to get home after a series of business commitments and prior to a one-month period away from home, the pilot bypassed these airports and continued to their property airstrip. This airstrip did not meet the physical, lighting and obstacle clearance requirements for night operations.
"The final approach to land was made after last light, with a family member positioned in a motor vehicle ‘at the end of the strip’. The vehicle’s headlights were intended to illuminate the upwind end of the strip, facing the oncoming aircraft. However, this lighting was inadequate and provided insufficient guidance for the approach and landing. This increased the risk of a collision with terrain."
The full investigation report is available on the ATSB website.