What happened
The aircraft was operating on a 3,500-foot turf runway that features a significant 20-degree dogleg located approximately 1,500 feet from the north end. The airfield is characterized by small hills running along both sides of the strip. During the landing phase, the grass runway surface was wet, which compromised traction. As a result, the aircraft slid sideways off its intended path. It subsequently collided with a mound alongside the runway. The impact caused damage to the left wing, the nose gear, and the propeller.
The investigation
Examination of the site revealed that the wet runway conditions were a primary factor in the loss of directional control. The terrain adjacent to the airfield, specifically the hillocks running along the sides, presented an immediate hazard once the aircraft departed the paved surface. The physical damage sustained by the left wing, nose gear, and propeller is consistent with a lateral slide into elevated ground features.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates that the combination of wet runway conditions and the specific geometry of the airfield contributed to the accident. The dogleg in the runway alignment may have complicated landing procedures, but the immediate cause was the loss of traction on the turf surface. The aircraft's inability to maintain lateral position led directly to the collision with the hillock beside the runway. No injuries were reported among those on board.