Primary finding
Probable cause
Excessive airspeed and a failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway. Factors related to the accident were the wet runway and the fence which was contacted.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot returned to the airport after discovering he had forgotten his approach plates. The pilot made a fast approach and landed long so an airplane behind him could land. The airplane traveled off the end of the wet runway and collided with a fence.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 24, 1994, at 1125 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N3558E, operated by Vandenburg Air Service, Greenville, Michigan, and flown by a commercial instrument rated pilot overran the runway and collided with a fence while landing at the Mackinac Island Airport, Mackinac Island, Michigan, while on a personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Mackinac Island, on May 24, 1994, at 1110 edt. The pilot reported that shortly after taking off from Mackinac Island, he realized he had left his instrument approach plates at the airport so he elected to return. He reported that while in the traffic pattern, another airplane reported entering a crosswind behind him. He stated he made a fast approach and landed long in an attempt to clear the runway so the airplane behind him could land. The pilot reported that the runway was wet from recent rain and he was unable to stop prior to exiting the end of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged when it contacted a fence approximately 10 feet off the end of the runway. The landing was made on runway 26 (3,501' x 75') and the winds were reported as being from 060 degrees at 3 knots. -