N5907R

On July 18, 1998, at 1145 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N5907R, was substantially damaged when it collided with a ditch during the landing roll at the Chandelle Estates Airport, Dover, Delaware. The certificated private pilot was not injured, the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated in Orange, Virginia.

According to the pilot, his flight from Virginia was uneventful. He overflew the airport and elected to land on runway 22. He said, "...turn to final speed was 75 mph, high approach over the trees, good sink rate, speed 70 mph aircraft floated almost to midfield. Elected at this time to go around...aircraft was not building speed quick enough and trees and power lines were too close. Elected to keep aircraft on the field... ." The airplane exited the 2,533 foot-long runway, and struck a ditch.

A witness on the southeast side of the runway said he saw the airplane report his position in the traffic pattern. He said he observed the airplane was "high and hot" on final approach. He said he watched the airplane continue down the runway and the touchdown point was past the half way marker.

The pilot reported over 206 hours of total flight experience. He said he applied maximum braking, but he was unable to stop. He said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane.

The closest weather reporting station, 5 miles south of the accident site reported the winds from 320 degrees at 8 knots.