What happened
The pilot elected to perform a landing on a 1600-foot grass strip while encountering a crosswind of approximately 5 knots. During the approach, the pilot reported crossing the threshold fence at an airspeed of about 60 knots with 15 degrees of flaps deployed. The aircraft touched down roughly 400 feet down the runway.
During the landing roll, it became apparent that the aircraft would be unable to stop on the dry grass surface before reaching the end of the available pavement. Consequently, the pilot deviated to the right onto soft dirt terrain. This action resulted in the aircraft going up on its nose before falling back down onto the landing gear.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the physical condition of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the landing. Examination revealed that the aircraft sustained significant damage due to the nose-over incident. The structural failure was a direct result of the impact with the ground after deviating from the runway surface.
Findings
Contributing factors included the short length of the grass strip and the decision to continue the landing despite insufficient stopping distance. The pilot's choice to land on a 1600-foot strip with a crosswind component proved critical. The inability to stop on the dry grass led to the deviation onto soft dirt, which caused the nose gear to collapse.
Safety message
Pilots should carefully evaluate runway length and surface conditions before attempting landing operations. Short grass strips may not provide adequate stopping distance, especially when combined with crosswinds or high approach speeds. Deviating from the runway surface can lead to severe structural damage and potential injury.