Flight Details
The pilot stated that before departure, he did not obtain a formal weather briefing nor file a flight plan, but he monitored the AWOS at the departure airport. After takeoff, he proceeded to the destination airport (Circle Bar Ranch).
Landing Attempts
Upon arrival, the pilot overflew the airstrip and observed the windsock indicating wind from the northeast at approximately 10 knots. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 09 and performed two go-arounds following approaches to that runway. After the second approach, the wind shifted to the northwest, and he entered the traffic pattern for a full-stop landing on runway 27.
Runway Excursion
Full flaps were extended for landing. The pilot reported touching down about one-quarter down the runway at an indicated airspeed between 55 and 60 knots. He held the nose landing gear off the ground and reported "played with the brakes" and "tapped them" between nose gear touchdown and the runway midpoint, where the airplane had decelerated aerodynamically to between 45 and 50 knots. At the midpoint, with the throttle at idle and flaps fully extended, the airplane accelerated to between 70 and 80 knots. The pilot applied brakes heavily but recognized the airplane would not stop on the remaining runway. With obstructions past the departure end, he intentionally maneuvered the airplane off the left side onto grass, believing it would help slow the airplane. The airplane traveled through a barbed wire fence and a 4-foot shallow embankment, then onto a road, where it came to rest upright with the nose landing gear wheel assembly separated. The pilot stated that at the point of acceleration, the engine did not accelerate. He additionally reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction post-accident, and he did not apply the brakes early due to not wanting to apply power to taxi up an incline to the ramp.
Post-Accident Examination
Several witnesses reported that the airplane landed about the midpoint of the runway. The FAA inspector-in-charge examined the runway, which was 2,400 feet long and 43 feet wide, with a slight rise at the midpoint. Examination of skid marks revealed the airplane departed the south side of runway 27 approximately 204 feet before the departure end. The airplane traveled approximately 492 feet, struck a barbed wire fence, and then rolled onto a private road.