NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS ALTITUDE TO ASSURE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT, UNLIT TERRAIN, THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT NIGHT TIME, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPORT, AND AN IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH.