What happened
The pilot was operating an aircraft during the landing phase on a grass runway that measured 1,170 feet in length. The surface conditions were described as very wet, which significantly impacted braking performance. Despite the available distance, the pilot was unable to bring the aircraft to a stop within the confines of the runway.
The aircraft continued past the end of the usable pavement and collided with a fence located at the terminus of the strip. This collision occurred because the stopping distance required under the specific environmental conditions exceeded the physical length of the runway available for the maneuver.
The investigation
An analysis of the accident involved comparing the actual performance against manufacturer specifications. According to Cessna Aircraft Company engineers, the landing distance required on dry grass under similar temperature and wind conditions would have been approximately 740 feet. However, the presence of standing water or extreme moisture on the grass surface drastically alters traction.
Although this specific variable was not explicitly addressed in the pilot operator's handbook, Cessna engineers noted that wet grass conditions could increase the required landing distance by 100 to 300 percent due to the extreme variables involved in reduced friction and increased rolling resistance.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the excessive landing distance required for the aircraft on a very wet grass surface. The runway length of 1,170 feet was insufficient to accommodate the increased stopping distance necessitated by the poor surface conditions. The pilot failed to account for the significant degradation in braking efficiency caused by the wet grass, leading to an overrun.
Safety message
Pilots must carefully evaluate runway surface conditions before landing. Manufacturer performance data often provides baseline figures for dry surfaces, but operators should be aware that wet or contaminated grass can increase required landing distances by substantial margins, potentially exceeding available runway lengths.