N6716E

On August 1, 1998, at 1530 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 175, N6716E, was substantially damaged while landing at a private airstrip in East Canton, Ohio. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Tri-City Airport (3G6), Sebring, Ohio, at 1515. No flight plan had been filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he departed 3G6 and flew for approximately 15 minutes to a private airstrip. While approaching the private airstrip, the pilot configured the airplane with full flaps. After extending the flaps and maneuvering to the runway, the airplane touched-down at an indicated airspeed of 57 mph. After touchdown, the pilot felt there was insufficient weight on the wheels for effective braking, so he retracted the flaps then applied the brakes. When he applied the brakes, he sensed the airplane decelerate and turn to the left toward a cornfield that bordered the runway. The pilot corrected with rudder, but the left wing made contact with the first row of corn.

With the left wing impacting corn in the first row, the pilot kept the airplane straight for approximately 30 yards. After 30 yards, the airplane turned left into the cornfield; the nose wheel was sheared off, and the airplane nosed over.

In a written statement, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector noted that the runway was 1,500 feet long, 50 feet wide, and sloped in the landing direction. The runway was also sloped to the right and bordered by 6 foot tall corn on either side. In addition, the airplane came to rest approximately 190 feet short of the departure end of the runway, and there were no problems with flight control continuity. Also, the inspector stated that tire marks indicated the airplane touched down left of centerline.

According to the manufacturer's specifications the airplane had a wing span of 36 feet and required a ground roll of 590 feet to clear a 50 foot obstacle.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2 the pilot stated that he had 600 hours of flight experience, with 14 hours in make and model. He added that he was landing to the south and the winds were from the west at 5 knots gusting to 10 knots