CHI94LA326

The pilot stated the airplane touched down approximately 1/4 to 1/3 down a 1,250 foot long grass strip. He applied brakes, but the airplane continued off the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported the winds were calm and there was dew on the grass. He stated there was no mechanical malfunction. There were two other runways available at the airport, rwy 03/21 (3,500' x 40', asphalt) and rwy 09/27 (3,250' x 100', turf).

On September 8, 1994, at 0845 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7384G, operated for the purpose of aerial traffic observation, sustained substantial damage when it ran off the departure end of Runway 36 at Capitol Airport in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The commercial pilot and one of the two passengers on board the airplane reported no injuries. The other passenger reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Brookfield, Wisconsin approximately 0545.

The pilot stated the airplane touched down "...approximately 1/4 to 1/3 down the runway. The amount of runway left was still adequate to safely stop. I began to apply the brakes, but they did not perform effectively enough to stop safely." The pilot stated he considered aborting the landing, but he believed the airplane would not clear the trees located at the end of the runway. He reported he kept the airplane on the ground to minimize damage and injuries, and slowed the airplane as much as possible. The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway and came to rest in a swampy area.

The pilot stated winds were calm and there was dew on the 1,250' grass runway. Two other runways were available at the Capitol Airport: Runway 09/27 (3,270' X 100', turf) and Runway 03/21 (3,500' X 40', asphalt). The pilot's recommendation as to how the accident could have been prevented was: "Reduce power earlier, flare a little bit sooner and less flaps." He stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure.