Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's delayed touchdown which resulted in a landing with inadequate runway remaining under the wet runway condition. A factor was the wet grass runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot landed midfield on the 2,800-foot grass runway to 'avoid mud at the approach end of the runway.' Following touchdown, the airplane rolled approximately 500 feet before the pilot applied braking; however, the grass was wet and the airplane went off the end of the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 16, 1996, at 0900 central standard time, a Cessna 182K, N3098Q, collided with trees during the landing roll near Covington, Louisiana. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated by the owner/pilot as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and a flight plan was not filed. On the Pilot/Operator report the pilot stated that he landed the airplane midfield (grass runway 2,800 feet long) at the Covington/Vincent private airstrip "to avoid mud at the approach end of the runway." Following touchdown, the airplane rolled approximately 500 feet before the pilot applied braking; however, the grass was wet and the airplane "hydroplaned off the end of the runway." The propeller, nose wheel, and wings were damaged. -