Beech 200 hydroplanes while landing on a wet runway

Nearing the conclusion of the IFR flight, the Beech 200 pilot was provided with radar vectors for an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions to the airport in Morristown, New Jersey.

During the descent, he observed an area of patchy fog over the approach end of the runway and leveled off to avoid the fog. He landed with about 3,000 feet of the nearly 6,000-foot runway remaining and felt the airplane hydroplaning while using a combination of wheel braking and the beta range of the propellers.

The airplane overran the end of the runway, onto the adjacent grass and mud, collapsing the nose landing gear and hitting terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage.

The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport’s automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of accident, the wind was from 270° at 3 knots, ½-statute mile visibility with fog and an overcast ceiling at 300 feet. The pilot was landing the airplane on Runway 23.

Probable Cause: The airplane hydroplaning while landing on a wet runway, which degraded its braking capability and resulted in a runway overrun onto grass and mud and the nose landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to land the airplane until it was near the runway midpoint due to fog over the approach end of the runway.

NTSB Identification: 101124

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This January 2020 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.