Incident Overview
A pilot reported an incident that occurred during a landing attempt at an airport. Prior to arrival, the pilot had received a calm wind report from a nearby airport. While turning right base for landing, he realized he was too close to the runway. He reduced power to idle, turned a 0.5-nautical-mile final approach, and added three notches of flaps.
Sequence of Events
As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot realized he was running out of runway and determined it was too late to execute a go-around due to obstacles (trees) at the end of the runway. The aircraft touched down, and the pilot retracted the flaps, turned off the ignition, and applied the brakes. He attempted to ground loop the airplane, but the landing gear struck one of the horizontal log railings at the end of the runway.
Aftermath
The aircraft bounced onto and skidded across an asphalt road, then entered an area of scrub brush and saplings. During the excursion, the left wing and all three landing gear separated from the aircraft.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.