NTSB Factual Report

The airplane was arriving at EAA AirVenture when the accident occurred. During AirVenture, the 6,300 foot long taxiway that parallels the right side of runway 36 is designated as runway 36R and is used for takeoffs and landings as determined by the control tower. In addition, there are four colored dots placed on runway 36L and pilots are issued landing instructions in reference to the dots. The pilot reported he was cleared to land on runway 36R, abeam the “yellow dot” which was on runway 36L. The yellow dot was located 2,900 feet from the runway threshold. The pilot stated he was concentrating on touching down at the yellow dot and he forced the airplane onto the runway at too fast of an airspeed. The airplane bounced two or three times and traveled off the right side of the runway/taxiway into the grass where it contacted a taxiway light. The pilot stated the brakes were ineffective due to the speed and the grass. The airplane continued across a service road where it contacted six heavy military vehicles that were among a row of parked vehicles. Both wings and the firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot stated there was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s excessive airspeed at touchdown and his loss of control of the airplane during the landing roll.