ATL97LA019

The pilot was conducting a full stop landing on a grass strip and did not attain the proper touch down point. He reported there was a tail wind of about 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. He said he planned to land on the first 375 feet of the runway, but an updraft gust, during the approach and just prior to touchdown, caused the aircraft to cease its descent momentarily and prolonged the touchdown by 200 feet. He also stated that the aircraft maintained good directional control, but would not stop as quickly as needed. He said he attempted a ground loop at the end of the runway, but the aircraft responded to late to make the desired turn. The aircraft went off the departure end and into a drainage depression, then nosed over.

On November 26, 1996, about 1245 eastern standard time, a Cessna 175, N7582M, overran the end of the runway at a private airstrip near Soperton, Georgia. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, his passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Bartow, Florida, about 0900 on the same day, with a comfort and fuel stop at Waycross, Georgia.

The pilot stated that he landed on the 1500 foot grass strip to the east, the only direction possible because of the uphill slope. He reported there was a tail wind of about ten knots, gusting to 15 knots. He planned to land on the first 375 feet of the runway, but an updraft gust, during the approach and just prior to touchdown, caused the aircraft to cease its descent momentarily and prolonged the touchdown by 200 feet. He also stated that the aircraft maintained good directional control but would not stop as quickly as needed. He attempted a ground loop at the end of the runway, which resulted in going off the end into a drainage depression. The nose gear broke off and the airplane nosed over. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the aircraft.