Incident Overview
A pilot experienced difficulty landing on a private turf runway after being assured by the airport owner that the surface condition was acceptable. The pilot performed two approaches that were steeper and faster than desired, aborting both. On the third attempt, the airplane touched down approximately 500 feet from the runway threshold.
Loss of Control
After touchdown, the pilot found that braking effectiveness was insufficient to stop the airplane. It traveled off the departure end of the runway and struck trees, resulting in substantial damage to both left and right wings.
Postaccident Findings
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures. The pilot and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that, while the grass on the runway appeared normal from the air, a layer of ice existed underneath due to rain and below-freezing temperatures over the several days preceding the accident, creating slick runway conditions.