NTSB Factual Report

The pilot reported that, while landing at night, the threshold and right side runway lights were out of service at the airport. He added that, he "must have been closer [to the ground] than [he] estimated" on approach because the airplane landed flat. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered left and he attempted to correct with right rudder. The airplane came to rest left of the runway in an adjacent cornfield.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in the nose landing gear collapsing and subsequent loss of directional control.