What happened
The aircraft was operating at a private grass airstrip when the pilot initiated the landing phase. Conditions were damp due to earlier rainfall, resulting in a wet surface with visible standing water. During the rollout, the airplane hydroplaned on the slick grass strip. This loss of traction caused the aircraft to veer off the left side of the runway. The out-of-control excursion ended when the airplane struck a fence located adjacent to the airfield.
The investigation
Post-accident review focused on the pilot's account of the event. The pilot confirmed that it had rained prior to the flight, which contributed to the wet conditions on the grass strip. A critical factor identified was the lack of pre-landing reconnaissance. The pilot did not overfly the grass strip before landing to assess the surface condition or determine if standing water was present.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the hydroplaning event, which was exacerbated by the wet runway surface. The decision to land without first verifying the condition of the grass strip played a significant role in the outcome. The pilot's failure to overfly the runway prevented the identification of the standing water that led to the loss of directional control.
Safety message
Pilots should always overfly runways, especially grass strips, before landing when weather conditions suggest potential surface issues. Verifying the absence of standing water or other hazards is essential for safe operations on non-paved surfaces.