Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the fence post and his midjudging the airplane glidepath.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he was concentrating on touching down at the end of the runway and did not see the fence at the end of the runway. The airplane undershot the runway during the landing and contacted one fence post.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 3, 1993, at 1100 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30, N6582V, registered to John D. Herreid of Eureka, Illinois, and operated by a private rated pilot, experienced an undershoot on landing on runway 36 (2,185' x 84' dry/turf) at Blakesburg, Iowa, and struck a metal fence post. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. the flight departed Bloomington, Illinois at 0930. The pilot stated that he was concentrating on touching down precisely at the end of the runway. He stated that he did not observe the fence at the end of the field; although, he had previously been in this field. -