Cessna 182G N2143R accident near Arcadia, New York

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to continue a high approach with a tailwind, rather than perform a go-around, which resulted in an overrun on a wet, down-sloping, grassy runway.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was attempting to land on a 2,800-foot-long turf runway. He planned on landing to the north due to obstacles along the southerly direction of landing. The pilot added that he approached with about a 5-knot tailwind but the wind was not a factor. He further stated that on final approach, the airplane was a little high. During the flare, the airplane floated longer than the pilot expected. At that time, he did not want to perform a go-around due to power lines at the departure end of the runway. The airplane subsequently touched down about halfway down the runway, and the pilot thought that he had adequate distance to stop; however, the grass was wet and the runway had a downslope. The airplane traveled off the end of the runway, and the pilot veered left in an attempt to avoid power line poles, but the right wing struck a pole, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He added that he would have performed a go-around if he knew the grass was wet and the runway had a downslope.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13CA231 for the full record.