What happened
The pilot was conducting practice maneuvers for short field landings on a turf runway measuring 1600 feet in length. The sequence of events began with an initial approach that the pilot described as being too high. Consequently, he executed a go-around to restart the landing attempt.
During the second approach, the pilot noted that the aircraft was slightly fast and landed long down the runway. He was unable to bring the airplane to a stop before reaching the end of the paved or turf surface. The aircraft continued past the runway threshold and entered an adjacent pond.
The pilot later reported two critical factors he had not initially recognized: the grass surface was wet, reducing traction, and there was a tailwind of 2 to 3 mph at the moment of touchdown. These conditions significantly increased the ground roll distance required to stop.
The investigation
Physical inspection of the aircraft revealed substantial structural damage consistent with a high-energy impact. The nose landing gear was bent rearward, indicating it absorbed significant force upon striking the ground and water interface. Additionally, the firewall exhibited wrinkling, suggesting the engine compartment sustained compression forces during the overrun.
Findings
The accident occurred due to the pilot's inability to stop the aircraft within the available runway length. Contributing factors included the wet grass surface which reduced braking efficiency and a slight tailwind that increased ground speed. The decision to continue the approach despite it being fast and long, combined with the environmental conditions, led to the overrun.
Safety message
Pilots practicing short field landings must carefully evaluate runway surface conditions, such as wet grass, which drastically increases stopping distances. Wind direction and speed are also critical variables that affect ground roll; a tailwind can negate the benefits of a short field technique. Always ensure sufficient safety margins when performing maneuvering practice.