Incident Overview
During a final approach to a turf runway, an airplane collided with a semi-trailer. The pilot had previously communicated with airport representatives regarding the condition of the turf runway. According to the pilot, he was informed that the western half of the east-west runway, approximately 1,350 feet, was serviceable. The eastern half was not serviceable due to wet and soft conditions.
Sequence of Events
The pilot stated that he was performing a short field landing when the airplane struck an 11-foot-high semi-trailer. The trailer was traveling northbound on a county road adjacent to the airport property. Following the impact with the trailer, the aircraft contacted the runway surface approximately 21 feet beyond the runway threshold. This point was about 50 feet from the eastern edge of the county road.
Runway and Roadway Geometry
The runway threshold was situated roughly 29 feet from the eastern edge of the two-lane north-south road. The edge of the road was approximately 4 feet higher in elevation than the threshold. According to the report, an airplane following a standard 3-degree glideslope would contact the road before reaching the runway threshold. To clear an 11-foot obstacle positioned at the eastern edge of the road, a glideslope of 28 degrees would be required.
Airport Standards
The runway arrangement, which lacks a displaced threshold, does not accommodate vehicular traffic on the adjacent county road or the elevation difference between the threshold and the road. As a private-use airport designated MI73, it is not required to adhere to FAA or state regulations concerning obstacle clearance standards.