Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW93LA088

CLOVIS, NM, USA

Aircraft #1

N2666J

CESSNA 340A

Analysis

AFTER EXECUTING A LOCALIZER APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE LANDED WITH 1,000 FEET REMAINING ON A 6,200 FOOT ICY AND SLIPPERY RUNWAY AND OVERRAN THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ON THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE AND IMPACTED THE LOCALIZER ANTENNA PRIOR TO COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE TAILWIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO BE HIGHER THAN THE 7 KNOTS REPORTED BY THE AWOS. THE FIRST APPROACH TERMINATED WITH A MISSED APPROACH.

Factual Information

On February 18, 1993, at approximately 0825 mountain standard time, a Cessna 340 twin engine airplane, N2666J, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain and airport facilities while landing at the Clovis Municipal Airport, in Clovis, New Mexico. The airline transport pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane departed Albuquerque, New Mexico, at approximately 0720 that morning. Upon arrival at Clovis, New Mexico, the airplane was cleared for a localizer approach to runway 04. The pilot reported that he was able to see the runway environment but executed a missed approach because he was not in position to land. Following the missed approach, the pilot requested and was provided vectors for a second approach. On the second localizer approach, the airplane touched down long on the runway and overran the departure end, impacting the localizer antenna prior to coming to a stop. The pilot and his two passengers exited the airplane unassisted. According to the pilot, the approach was normal and the touchdown was made abeam the 1,000 foot remaining marker. Braking action was very poor due to the runway being icy and very slippery. A passenger seated in the right rear seat also stated that the airplane touched down with only one fourth of the runway remaining. Two witnesses also stated that the tailwind was much stronger than the 7 knots being reported by the AWOS. The pilot also stated that he had in excess of 600 hours in the airplane and he was very familiar with the airport and that particular approach since he made the same round trip at least three times a week. Damage to the airplane included a collapsed left main landing gear, a partially collapsed nose landing gear, spar damage to the left wing, a ruptured left fuel tank, a misaligned fuselage, a punctured right wing tip fuel tank, and general distortion of the left engine cowling. The airplane was released to the owner's representative at the accident site.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXECUTE A GO AROUND. FACTORS WERE THE TAILWIND, THE ICY RUNWAY CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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