Cessna 177B N18509 accident near Falmouth, Massachusetts

Probable cause

The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance on final approach resulting in a touchdown near the departure end of the runway, a runway excursion, and collision with trees.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, he elected to conduct a landing on runway 25 at his destination airport. He stated that the windsock indicated a crosswind, that did not favor either runway. The pilot flew the approach to landing at a speed of 65-75 knots. The pilot realized right before touchdown that he was going to land long and go off the end of the runway. After touching down the airplane veered to the right and struck a runway light then subsequently impacted trees that were located approximately 300 feet off the end of the runway. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings. According to a witness who resided next to the airport he advised the pilot, that he landed with a tailwind and should have used runway 7. Approximately 5 minutes after the accident occurred, an Automated Weather Observing System located 3 miles north of the accident site also reported winds of 080 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14CA364 for the full record.