Incident Overview
A private pilot conducting a local personal flight experienced a landing accident after encountering gusty wind conditions. The pilot reported checking weather conditions at three local airports before the flight but stated that he did not trust the wind reports and did not obtain a preflight weather briefing.
Sequence of Events
Upon arriving at the destination airport, the pilot performed two go-arounds due to gusting wind. During the third attempted landing, he executed a steep approach at a normal approach speed and flared the airplane about midway down the 3,000-foot-long runway. The airplane floated down the runway for much longer than the pilot expected before touching down. Despite applying maximum braking, there was insufficient remaining runway to stop, and the airplane skidded off the runway, impacted trees, and subsequently caught fire, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
Wind Conditions
The wind conditions reported at an airport located about 13 miles away included a tailwind of 16 knots, gusting to 27 knots. Given the tailwind conditions reported at this airport and the pilot's description of the approach and landing, it is likely that the pilot conducted the approach to the runway in a tailwind that significantly increased the airplane's groundspeed, which resulted in a touchdown with insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane, even with maximum braking.
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper decision to land with a tailwind, which resulted in a touchdown with insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane.