Accident Details
The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence after departing the end of the wet turf runway during a landing. The runway was turf and reported as damp.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that he had been returning from Oakland/Troy Airport and was taking the airplane to Grindstone Air Harbor Airport (29C). The airplane was normally based at Huron County Memorial Airport, but hangar space became unavailable on October 14, 2004, leading to the decision to move the airplane to a hangar at 29C.
While preparing to land on runway 18, the pilot noted the wind and determined it was acceptable to land, though he anticipated needing to land faster than normal due to gusty winds. On final approach, at treetop level near the western runway boundary, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the southwest, causing the pilot to add power. After recovery, the airspeed had increased by about 5-10 knots. The pilot continued the landing because he was close to the runway.
Upon touchdown and rollout, the pilot began applying brakes. The airplane began to skid, evidently because the grass was damp. The pilot became concerned that there would not be enough runway to complete the landing. He also considered that taking off again was not feasible due to gusty winds and power lines at the runway end. Choosing to remain committed to the landing, the pilot applied heavy braking, which resulted in skidding. He then had to decide whether to continue toward the runway end fence, the hangar, or an unlevel farm field parallel to the east side of the runway. He decided to steer for the fence.
The pilot pulled the mixture to idle cut-off and shut off the fuel. Just before the left wing struck the eastern runway end fence, he turned the battery switches off.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage in the impact with the fence.