Incident Overview
The pilot of the airplane reported that while turning onto final approach for runway 14, the wind direction shifted from a crosswind to a tailwind. At touchdown, the pilot noted that 1,800 feet of runway remained of the total 2,780-foot length. The airplane subsequently skidded across the grass, overran the runway end, and collided with a shallow ditch.
Weather Conditions
The nearest weather reporting station, located 10 nautical miles from the accident site, reported that at the time of the incident, winds were variable at 9 knots with gusts to 12 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies before or during the landing.
Aircraft Examination
A post-accident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the fuselage was buckled. However, no flight control anomalies were noted during the examination.
Pilot Statement
The pilot specifically stated that the wind shift from a crosswind to a tailwind occurred as the airplane was turned onto final approach. No other operational or technical issues were mentioned by the pilot.