Synopsis
A pilot completed a landing on a 2,200-foot wet grass runway, but the airplane could not stop before the end of the runway. The pilot attempted a 180-degree turn on the right side of the runway, but the right main landing gear encountered tall grass, causing the airplane to veer off the runway and strike a tree.
Sequence of Events
Upon reaching his destination, the pilot overflew the runway to check the winds and then entered a left base for landing to the east. He positioned the airplane on a 2-mile final, configured it with approach flaps, and slowed to 75 mph. The airplane touched down approximately 300 feet past the approach end of the 2,200-foot wet grass runway and started to roll out. Halfway down the runway, the pilot applied the brakes, and the airplane began to slide. With approximately 600 feet of runway remaining, the pilot felt the airplane was not going to stop, so he maneuvered the airplane to the right side of the runway in an attempt to make a left 180-degree turn. On the right side of the runway, the right main landing gear encountered 'tall' grass, causing the airplane to veer to the right and depart the runway. The right wing then struck a tree with a diameter of 3 to 4 inches, and the airplane came to a stop.
Aircraft Information
The airplane's Pilot's Operator Handbook (POH) stated in the before-landing checklist: "Flaps-FULL DOWN." The POH only provides landing performance data for flaps full down on a dry, level runway. According to the POH, a 3,200-pound airplane would require a landing distance of 1,500 feet, based on no wind, sea level, a 50-foot obstacle, and an air temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Landing Performance Considerations
Although the pilot used approach flaps and a speed of 75 mph, the POH's landing distance data applies only to flaps full down on a dry, level runway. The runway in use was wet grass, and the pilot did not use full flaps as specified in the POH checklist. No data was available for the actual configuration and surface conditions.