Accident Piper PA-28-180C N8221W, Friday 12 January 1996

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Date:	Friday 12 January 1996
Time:	16:30 LT
Type:	Piper PA-28-180C
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N8221W
MSN:	28-2354
Year of manufacture:	1965
Total airframe hrs:	1735 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360-A3A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	West Liberty, IA - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Greencastle, IA (IA24)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot reported the airplane made a normal touchdown on the grass airstrip. When he applied the brakes to stop, the airplane skid as if it was on ice. To avoid impacting a parked airplane and a fence located at the end of the runway, the pilot applied full power and full right rudder to turn the airplane. The airplane went into a bean field, and its left wing impacted a fence post. The pilot stated that the airstrip looked dry, but it was wet and muddy because the snow had recently melted leaving the ground very soft.

Probable Cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and an intentional ground loop/swerve. A factor in the accident was the wet grass runway.

Accident investigation: