Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot misjudging distance and speed during the approach, and his failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he was making a straight-in approach for landing. The approach was steep and fast. The airplane touched down long and bounced. He realized he had insufficient runway remaining to make a go-around and went off the end of the runway. The airplane collided with trees and a garage.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 9, 1996, about 2014 eastern daylight time, a Maule M-5, N725V, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, overshot the runway and crashed in the vicinity of Plains, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Americus, Georgia, about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was landing to the west at a private airfield. His approach was steep and fast. The airplane touched down long and bounced. He realized he had insufficient runway remaining to make a go-around and went off the end of the runway. The airplane collided with trees and a garage. -