Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN09LA100

Lewistown, MO, USA

Aircraft #1

N20NL

Beechcraft 390

Analysis

Prior to departure, the pilot was informed that it had been raining; the roads were wet, but no mention of ice at his destination. During the approach to the destination airport, the runway appeared "wet", and a normal approach and landing was attempted. The airplane touched down at 110 knots, the pilot "then deployed lift dump and [then applied the] brakes". Unable to get braking action, the pilot tried to slide the airplane "left and right" to get traction, but could not. The airplane departed the south end of the 4,370-foot-long runway, went over the edge of an embankment and stopped next to a levee. 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 (Vref) was determined to be about 111 knots. A braking action (runway condition) report for the private airfield's runway did not exist, nor was one required.

Factual Information

On December 23, 2008, about 1500 Central Standard Time, a Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier I) twin-engine business jet, N20NL, sustained substantial damage after landing and departing the runway surface at the Sharpe Farms Airport (MO09), Lewistown, Missouri. The crew of two pilots and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to CNS Corporation and operated by the pilot. An instrument rules flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 cross-country flight. The flight originated from the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport Kansas City, Missouri, with MO09 as its intended destination. According to the pilot, he broke out of the clouds at 2,200 feet with the airfield in sight and that the runway appeared "wet". He stated that they "touched down at 110 knots, deployed lift dump, and [then] brakes". The pilot confirmed the anti-skid chatter in the brakes, and kept brake application. After touchdown the pilot thought about doing a go-around; however, due to the length of runway remaining, and the time required to produce full power for rotation/climb-out, he continued his attempt to try and stop the airplane on the runway. The pilot added that he tried to slide the airplane both, "left and right" trying to get traction, but could not. The airplane departed the south end of the runway, went over the edge of an embankment, and stopped next to a levee. The crew and passengers opened the cabin door and exited the airplane normally. The pilot added that prior to departure, he talked with a couple people (at Lewistown) and that they told him that it had been raining; the roads were wet, but no mention of ice. The pilot reported no pre-impact malfunctions with the airplane. The airplane was powered by two Williams FJ44 turbo-fan engines, and not equipped with thrust reversers. 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. A runway is considered as wet when there is sufficient moisture on the surface to cause it to appear reflective, but without significant areas of standing water. 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 (Vref) was determined to be about 111 knots. Sharpe Farms Airport (MO09) is a private use airfield and has a single runway oriented in a 13/31 configuration. Runway 13 was reported to be a 4,370-foot long, asphalt runway. A braking action (runway condition) report for the runway did not exist, nor was one required.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's loss of directional control during landing on an ice-contaminated runway.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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