Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land on the wet, sod runway, and his failure to use all of the available runway for landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he was attempting to land on the private sod airfield. He stated that the 1,500 foot strip was covered with dew and that he landed with about 1,000 feet of runway remaining, but that he could not get the aircraft stopped prior to running off the end of the runway. The aircraft hit a group of trees located just off the end of the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 14, 1995, at 0910 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N54484, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees during landing at a private airfield near Brownsville, Tennessee. Neither the private pilot, nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Paducah, Kentucky, at 0800. The pilot stated that he was attempting to land on the private sod airfield. He stated that the 1,500 foot strip was covered with dew and that he landed with about 1,000 feet of runway remaining, but that he could not get the aircraft stopped prior to running off the end of the runway. The aircraft hit a group of trees located just off the end of the runway. -