Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 140; Flight Crew Type 120
Confusion; Distraction; Human-Machine Interface; Troubleshooting
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Equipment Issue
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Airport
When arriving at SQL after the Tower had just closed I attempted to turn on the Runway Illumination Lights. At first the lights turned on and the approach was normal. On short final the lights turned off and could not be turned back on by my aircraft. I initiated a go around to re-evaluate the situation and try again. Our aircraft was not able to turn the lights on after multiple attempts.Another C172 entered the pattern shortly after initiating the go-around. That aircraft was able to get the lights to come on. I am uncertain why they were able to turn them on and we could not. Our radio had no issues communicating with ATC on the flight over to SQL. We landed immediately after the second aircraft and never determined whether or not our aircraft could cycle the Runway Illumination Lights. Considering this issue has been documented at SQL before and has since been considered resolved; perhaps the intermittent lighting issue still exists.
A pilot arriving SQL after the Tower closed reported the runway lights turned off when they were on short final. The reporter states this is a recurring issue at SQL.