N223T

On November 9, 2002, about 1400 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18, N223T, was substantially damaged while landing at a private airstrip in Turner, Maine. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that prior to the day of the accident, he had not landed at the private airstrip. The pilot completed several low passes over the airstrip. He then performed a touch-and-go landing on the north runway, a 900-foot long turf runway. During the subsequent approach for a full-stop landing, the pilot maneuvered the airplane out of a slip, and felt it rise and slow. The pilot further stated:

"I had just went past my touch down point yet I was still in the air. I knew I had just filled the tanks and the go around attempt would be chancy so I decided to touch down and try to stop fast..."

The airplane touched down, traveled off the end of the runway, struck a log, and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to both wings. The inspector did not observe any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

The reported wind at an airport approximately 10 miles south of the accident site, at 1415, was from 060 degrees at 4 knots.

The pilot reported a total flight experience of 153 hours; of which, 51 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.