Accident Overview
On October 3, 2015, at approximately 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172B airplane, registration N7837X, struck a barbed wire fence after aborting a landing at Benton Field Airport (O85), located about 1 mile west of Redding, California. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The aircraft was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Yuba County Airport (MYV) in Yuba City, California, at about 1030.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that the landing roll seemed fast despite the airplane touching down not far past the runway numbers. When it became apparent that the airplane would not stop on the remaining runway, he applied full power to abort the landing. The airplane was still in ground effect as it passed over the departure end of the runway. The pilot observed that they would not clear the tree line ahead and maneuvered to land on a dirt road cut into a hillside. The touchdown on the dirt road was described as very loud and rough. During the landing roll, the left wing impacted a barbed wire fence.
Passenger Ejection
During the accident sequence, the passenger in the front right seat was ejected from the airplane and found about 30 feet from the wreckage. The pilot reported that the passenger's seat and seat belt were both intact and connected. However, the seat was in the full rearward position, which placed the lap belt attachment points about mid-thigh and probably did not allow the shoulder harness to be tightened securely.
Pilot's Assessment
In the safety recommendation section of the accident reporting form, the pilot stated, "it is clear and obvious to me; I landed with a stiff tailwind on a short runway." The pilot also reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Meteorological Information
A review of recorded data from an automated weather observation station about 6 miles southeast of the accident site indicated that at 1153 PDT, conditions were: wind from 350 degrees true at 12 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and sky clear.