Cessna 180 N2294C accident near Atlanta, Idaho

Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged speed and distance during the intentional touchdown in the last half of the runway, which resulted in a landing overrun. Contributing to the accident was the muddy runway condition.

NTSB analysis

The plot landed on the last half of the 2,900-foot-long grass runway and was unable to bring the airplane to a stop before it ran off the end of the runway and into trees. Prior to going to the airport, the pilot had spoken with local area pilots who indicated that he should not use the first half of the runway because it was muddy and soft. The pilot indicated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport/Facility Directory for the airport states in part, " that the lower 1/3 of the runway is soft and unusable during the early spring. " The performance section landing distance charts of the Cessna 180 Owners Manual listed a total landing distance of 1,842 over a 50-foot obstacle, with a 847-foot ground roll (chart correction factors applied for grass runway surface and no wind).

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA245 for the full record.