CHI99LA150

The pilot said he could not determine the surface wind direction as he flew over the restricted landing area. The pilot said he touched down about halfway down the runway that was 2,500' long. The pilot said he could not stop on the wet grass and skidded off the runway, collided with an earthen berm, and skidded to a stop in the field next to the runway end. He said he realized he had landed long and downwind. The owner of the restricted landing area said he had no wind direction or landing direction indicator at his landing area.

On May 9, 1999, at 1130 central daylight time (cdt), a Beech A-36, N53LE, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with the ground following a landing on runway 36 (2,500 feet by 75 feet, wet sod). The runway is a restricted landing area near Buffalo Center, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Fort Wayne, Indiana, at 0930 cdt.

The pilot said he flew over the restricted landing area and was unable to detect the surface wind direction. He said he and his passenger looked for smoke and did not see any. The pilot said he listened to a pilot of another airplane landing at an airport about 45 miles away announce he was on final approach for runway 28. The pilot said he decided landing on runway 36 would be the best action to take.

According to the pilot, he landed his airplane halfway down the runway and was unable to stop due to the wet grass. The airplane departed the departure end of the runway, collided with an earthen berm, and skidded to a stop in the field next to the runway.

The pilot said he realized he had landed long and downwind. According to the owner of the restricted landing area, there is no wind direction or landing indicator at his landing area.