Incident Details
A pilot landing on a 2,000-foot grass airstrip overran the end of the runway and impacted brush after touching down. The pilot had located the strip and circled at 1,000 feet above the ground, entering a left-hand pattern for Runway 27. During the approach, the pilot encountered moderate turbulence while in the traffic pattern, followed by severe turbulence and a downdraft prior to touchdown. Despite the conditions, the pilot managed to control the airplane and touched down near the midpoint of the strip. After touchdown, the pilot attempted to stop the airplane, but it continued past the runway end and struck brush.
Weather Conditions
The pilot estimated surface winds from 200 to 220 degrees at approximately 20 knots. Weather reports from Harrison, Arkansas, 29 miles north, indicated winds from 170 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 26 knots. No other weather information was provided.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated, "The wind must have changed to a tailwind," and added that it "just felt like a downwind landing but it still looked like I had room to get it stopped."