"NA at Night" on instrument approach charts means the procedure is "Not Authorized" during FAA-defined night (end of civil twilight to beginning of civil twilight), primarily due to unlit obstacles in the approach path that penetrate the 20:1 slope of the visual segment.
Under Part 91.175(a), pilots are legally required to comply with "NA at Night" restrictions, even if Air Traffic Control (ATC) issues an approach clearance, as ATC's primary responsibility is traffic separation, not regulatory enforcement of pilot compliance with approach limitations.
When faced with an "NA at Night" restriction, pilots must select an authorized alternative, such as using a different runway's approach, diverting to another airport, or safely canceling IFR to proceed VFR, always exercising caution regarding unfamiliar airports and unlit obstructions.
You planned this getaway weekend to Wise County, Virginia months ago. A cabin is ready. A rental car awaits you when you land at Lonesome Pine airport (KLNP). It’s good to be instrument rated. The reported ceilings are comfortably high at 1500 AGL. It’s nice to have the protection of an instrument approach when going somewhere new, especially in the Appalachians.
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