N5080MTaylorcraft BC12-D · 1946

The pilot stated that he was using a global positioning system receiver to navigate a cross-country flight. The pilot's intended destination was an airport with a single 5,751-foot-long runway; however, he erroneously flew to an airport with a single 2,400-foot-long runway. Additionally, trees were located on both ends of the shorter runway. The pilot further stated that in an attempt to clear trees near the runway threshold, he touched down too close to the departure end of the runway. The pilot did not want to attempt a go-around due to the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane, but it traveled off the end of the runway and into a ditch. During the impact, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing separated. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The wind was reported as calm at an airport located approximately 20 miles south of the accident site, about the time of the accident.