NTSB Factual Report

On June 16, 2001, about 0845 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna A185F, N4805, overran the departure end of the runway at the pilot's privately owned airstrip in Ash Fork, Arizona. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot, and it was substantially damaged upon colliding with trees. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Los Angeles, California, about 2.25 hours earlier.

The pilot verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had landed at his airstrip on over 50 occasions. The runway is about 1,185 feet long, and its elevation is about 5,400 feet mean sea level. The pilot stated that he touched down slightly long, bounced, and was unable to stop before exiting the runway.

In the pilot's completed accident report, he indicated, in pertinent part, that approaching his airstrip he observed the wind was light and variable. He flew a standard traffic pattern, and his final approach was stabilized. With the wing flaps extended to 40 degrees, the airplane "dropped" in over the approach end of the runway. However, upon touchdown he experienced an increase in speed due to wind shear or a tailwind. The airplane accelerated using up runway. Then, he attempted to go around. He decreased the wing flaps to 20 degrees, applied full engine power, and decreased the pitch trim. However, he ran out of runway before liftoff so he retarded engine power and applied heavy braking. The airplane overran the runway's end, and it came to a stop upon impacting nearby trees.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged touchdown location on a short runway. Contributing factors were the presence of a tailwind and the proximity of trees.