20060708015939A

(-23) Airman stated that he landed his Cessna 172 on runway 21 at my way Private airstrip. Runway 21 is a grass strip and has a downhill slope. He landed approximately 1/3 of the way from the north end of the field. He applied brakes lightly and noticed that the aircraft felt as though it was sliding. He retracted the flaps to decrease lift and aid in braking action, however, this did not help and the aircraft continued to slide. At that point there was insufficient runway to become airborne. He continued to apply the brakes and applied left rudder to turn the aircraft sharply to the left and possibly slide the aircraft to a stop sideways. The aircraft continued sliding, went off the left side of the grass strip through a wire and pole fence of a cattle pasture. The aircraft went over an approximate 6 foot embankment and came to rest in the mud. The airman stated that the airstrip had been freshly mowed, was wet from dew and there were grass clippings on the surface. The pilot had the throttle at idle during this event and shut down the aircraft after impact. The aircraft sustained substantial damage however, there were no injuries to the sole occupant/pilot.