N2539R

On July 13, 1997, at 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182K, N2539R, was substantially damaged when it struck a ditch during the landing roll at Ellington Airport, Ellington, Connecticut. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated at New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The pilot said he overflew the airport, and checked the windsock. He said the winds appeared to be variable, so he planned his approach for runway 19. A full flap landing was initiated with an approach speed of 80 mph. As he approached the threshold, he pulled the power back to idle, but the airplane did not settle onto the 1,800 foot long runway.

He further stated:

"...I pulled back and the plane settled down to the asphalt. I began to apply brakes to slow down as I knew that the runway was rather short. I immediately noticed that the brakes did not seem to be stopping the aircraft even though the tires were squealing...I saw the grass and the cornfield at the end of the runway and realized that I may not be able to stop before the end of the runway. At that point, I did not believe that a safe go-around was possible... ." The airplane then exited the runway, and nosed over into a ditch.

The pilot said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. He said the accident could have been prevented if the ditch was not there, as he would have been able to stop with little if any damage. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 280 degrees at 10 knots.