Accident Overview
An aircraft overran the departure end of a wet runway during the landing roll, traversing a fence and a ditch before coming to rest on a roadway. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were described as "mucky," with low ceilings ranging from 200 to 400 feet, low visibilities of 1 to 1.5 miles, and steady rain.
Witness Observations
A witness who observed the aircraft on short final approach for the runway reported that it appeared to be too fast. The witness estimated that the aircraft touched down approximately 600 feet from the departure end of the 4000-foot runway.
Pilot and Owner Statements
The 63-year-old VFR-rated pilot and the 86-year-old aircraft owner, who was also a rated pilot but had undergone open-heart surgery in late 1988 and no longer held a valid medical certificate, told witnesses that they did not have enough fuel to execute a go-around.
Fuel Inspection
An inspection of the fuel tanks revealed about 5 gallons of fuel in the left tank, while the right tank was nearly empty.
Nearby Weather Observation
Approximately 39 miles east-southeast of the accident site, the weather at Milwaukee at 1650 CDT reported partial obscuration, 3500-foot broken ceiling, visibility 1.5 miles in haze and light rain, and wind from 070 degrees at 8 knots.