Accident Overview
The pilot reported that during the first landing attempt on a 2,160-foot-long runway, the airspeed was too high on short final, prompting a go-around. After remaining in the traffic pattern, the pilot made a subsequent landing attempt. On this attempt, the pilot again found the aircraft high and reduced the power to idle. The aircraft then developed a high sink rate with slow airspeed, leading the pilot to add power. However, the pilot could not stop the aircraft on the remaining runway. The aircraft overran the pavement end, continued down a hill, and collided with a ditch.
Meteorological Information
The closest official aviation weather reporting station recorded winds from 310 degrees at 6 knots. Based on this, the aircraft experienced a computed 4-knot tailwind during the attempted landing on runway 18.
Airport Conditions
Airport personnel reported in a telephone interview that the windsock was 'faded but not torn' on the night of the accident. Additionally, they stated that at night the windsock is lighted, but the free-moving tetrahedron is not lighted, even when the pilot-controlled runway lighting is activated.