Accident Overview
An airplane was substantially damaged when it overran the end of a 2,400-foot grass airstrip, struck a small ditch, and nosed over. The pilot reported that he circled the airstrip once before setting up for a landing to the south on the north/south runway. He stated that he landed "as short on the north end as the railroad tracks would allow."
Pilot's Account
The pilot indicated that the brakes did not feel "as effective as normal." He pumped the brakes twice, but they failed to slow the airplane. He reported that it was too late to "power-up and go around," and the airplane departed the end of the runway. After leaving the runway, the airplane hit a small ditch and nosed over.
Brake System Inspection
Following the accident, an inspection of the brake system revealed that the brakes operated normally. No mechanical deficiencies were observed.
Witness Statement
A witness reported that the grass was wet due to a heavy dew on the morning of the accident. The witness observed the airplane on final approach for landing and noted that the airplane was too high and landed past the first one-third of the runway. The witness stated the pilot "used up quite a bit of runway before he touched down." According to the witness, there was no way the airplane was going to stop on the runway due to the dew on the grass and the speed of the airplane.