Icy runway compromises landing

This December 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Beechcraft Premier. Injuries: None. Location: Lewistown, Mo. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: Prior to departure, the pilot was informed that it had been raining, but there was no mention of ice at his destination. He noted the runway appeared wet. He made a normal approach. The airplane touched down at 110 knots. He applied the brakes but there was no braking action, so he tried to slide the airplane left and right to get traction, but could not. The airplane went off the end of the 4,370-foot-long runway and down an embankment.

There were no reported pre-impact malfunctions with the airplane. The Manufacturer Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement for Airplanes Operating on Wet and Contaminated Runways, General Information Section, states operations on runways contaminated with ice or wet ice are not recommended and no operational information is provided. Using the supplement, the anticipated landing distance on a wet runway was calculated to be about 3,400 feet, the anticipated landing distance on an uncontaminated runway was calculated to be approximately 2,800 feet, and the prescribed landing speed was determined to be about 111 knots. A braking action report for the private airfield’s runway did not exist, nor was one required.

Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing on an ice-contaminated runway.

For more information: NTSB.gov

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