What happened
The aircraft was attempting to land on a narrow, unpaved airstrip measuring 2,000 feet in length and 80 feet in width. The surface consisted of turf, which can present variable traction conditions depending on moisture and wear.
According to the pilot's report, the airplane touched down approximately 500 feet beyond the approach end of the runway. The touchdown point was located to the left of the runway centerline. Shortly after making contact with the ground, the aircraft began to veer sharply to the left.
The pilot attempted to maintain directional control by applying full right pedal deflection and full right braking. Despite these corrective efforts, the airplane continued its leftward trajectory. The aircraft eventually departed the paved or turf surface and traveled into an adjacent cornfield. Upon impact with the terrain in the field, the airplane rolled to the right and came to rest on the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the operational details provided by the pilot regarding the landing sequence. Key factors included the short length of the available runway relative to the touchdown point and the subsequent loss of directional control on the turf surface.