Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgement of distance and speed during the approach and landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that during his first attempt at a short field landing on the sod field, the aircraft bounced, slid off the end of the runway, and collided with a small ditch. He also stated that the sod was dry and freshly cut with a significant amount of thatch.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 23, 1993, at about 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N47GE was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during landing at a private sod airfield near Hartselle, Alabama. Neither the flight instructor nor his private pilot student were injured in the accident. The aircraft was owned and being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Foam Application, Incorporated of Huntsville, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The flight departed Huntsville, Alabama at about 1430. The pilot reported that he was unable to stop the aircraft on the sod field during his first attempt at a short field landing. The aircraft bounced, and slid off the end of the runway. The aircraft then struck a small ditch and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that the sod field was extremely dry, and had been freshly cut. -