Accident Overview
A private pilot with 1,559 hours of flight experience was conducting a cross-country flight of 247 nautical miles. Prior to arrival at the final destination, the pilot reported that the Automated Weather Observing System indicated instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions prevailed throughout the area. The pilot then contacted the local Flight Service Station (FSS) via radio to inquire about the closest visual flight rules (VFR) weather conditions. The FSS informed the pilot that the nearest location with VFR conditions would be at Yoakum, Texas.
Landing and Runway Excursion
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who responded to the accident scene, the pilot flew to Yoakum and landed "on the latter end of Runway 13." Runway 13 was described as an asphalt runway measuring 3,445 feet in length and 60 feet in width. After touchdown, the low-wing tricycle gear airplane departed the left side of the runway and traveled approximately 80 yards up an embankment, through a barbed wire perimeter fence, across a highway, and through a second barbed wire fence. The airplane came to rest upright in a pasture.
Wind Conditions
The pilot reported that the wind at T85 was light and variable.