Accident Sequence
While on approach to a runway, the pilot of the airplane attempted to avoid a tree located near the end of the runway. To avoid the tree, he “stayed high” until clearing the approach end and then attempted to “drop quickly” to the field. The airplane touched down on the left main landing gear roughly 2,000 feet beyond the threshold of the 2,900-foot long runway. The pilot applied the brakes but was unable to stop the airplane before it overran the runway.
Postaccident Findings
The right main landing gear struck an airport sign, and the airplane came to rest in brambles approximately 100 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall. No evidence of any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation was discovered during the examination.
Pilot Statement
During a postaccident interview, the pilot stated that after the accident he discovered that the tree he had attempted to avoid was actually located to the right of the runway.