NTSB Factual Report

On June 22, 2003, approximately 1044 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L single-engine airplane, N912KD, was substantially damaged during a landing overrun while landing on runway 31 at a private grass airstrip near San Antonio, Texas. The airplane was registered to Hank Aero Ventures, LLC., of San Antonio, Texas, and was being operated by Check Six Aviation, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, and was being flown by a private individual under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot received serious injuries, and his passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF), San Antonio, Texas, approximately 1015.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the operator reported that the pilot departed SSF and flew the airplane approximately 8 nautical miles southwest to Cannon Field (53TX). Cannon Field features a single 2,88-foot long by 100-foot wide grass/turf runway oriented in a 130/310 heading. The operator added, that upon arrival at Cannon Field, the pilot landed the airplane "long and fast, failed to stop, and hit [a] fence post at the end of the runway." The operator/owner safety recommendation block suggested that "better pilot judgment, electing to do a go-around rather than land long" could have prevented the accident.

On the Passenger Statement (NTSB Form 6120.9), the passenger reported that the pilot was simulating a loss of engine power emergency landing from the downwind position in the traffic pattern. The 2,249-hour pilot set the power at idle and turned the airplane toward the runway. At touchdown, the flaps had not been lowered and the tires on the green grass were sliding. The passenger added that "it was apparent that the airplane was not slowing down enough to avoid the fence and gate at the end of the runway."

The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, found the airplane resting against an embankment on the west end of Cannon Field. Perpendicular to the departure end of the runway was a fence with an iron gate. The left wing strut was found bent, the upper wing skin buckled, and the leading edge crushed aft to the main spar. The right wing rear spar was bent, and the fuselage was buckled aft of the rear seats.

At 1053, the weather observation facility at SSF reported wind from 180 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clouds broken at 2,400 feet, broken at 3,100 feet, temperature 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), dew point 23 degrees Celsius ( 73 degrees Fahrenheit), and the altimeter setting 29.86 inches Mercury. The investigator-in-charge estimated the density altitude at 2,352 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed, and his failure to perform a go-around.