Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL03LA081

Carrollton, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N227BC

Beech A100

Analysis

The pilot departed with the flaps of the airplane inoperative and stowed in the up position. At the time of landing, runway 34 was wet and there was precipitation in the area. The airplane hydroplaned down the runway and rolled off the departure end of the runway into a muddy area. The airplane nosed over and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot stated that she did not compute the landing roll distance needed for landing on the wet runway. The Safety Information Section of the Pilots Operating Handbook states a caution when landing on runways covered by water. Examination of the airplane revealed that the propeller assemblies and both engines were damaged.

Factual Information

On March 17, 2003, at 1825 eastern standard time, a Beech A100, N227BC, registered to and operated by CB Aviation Inc., collided with the ground when the nose wheel collapsed during landing on runway 34 at West Georgia Regional Airport in Carrollton, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Instrument weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Minden, Louisiana on March 17, 2003 at 1600. The flight made a stop at Mc Ghee Tyson Airport (TYS), Alcoa, Tennessee to drop off some non-revenue passengers. Upon landing at TYS the pilot noticed that the wing flaps were stuck in the down position. The pilot taxied the airplane to Vol Aircraft Maintenance to inspect the flaps. Vol Aircraft Maintenance informed the pilot that the flap motor was inoperative. Upon the pilot's request, the wing flaps were secured in the up position so the pilot may continue the flight to her destination. The pilot departed Alcoa, Tennessee, with the flaps of the airplane secured in the up position. The wing flap circuit breaker was also disabled before the flight. The airplane was being repositioned from Alcoa, Tennessee to Carrollton, Georgia, with a passenger on board. The airplane did not have a ferry permit or a minimum equipment list to allow for flight with inoperative wing flaps. According to the pilot she had completed one previous instrument approach that concluded in a missed approach. During the second approach to land, the pilot reported a mechanical problem with the wing flaps to the air traffic controller. The pilot elected to execute a flaps-up landing. During the landing rollout, the airplane rolled off the departure end of the runway 34 into a muddy area. The airplane nosed over and the nose gear collapsed. The runway at West Georgia Regional Airport is 5,001 feet long. The airplane landed on the first third of the runway. At the time of landing runway 34 was wet and there was percipitation in the area. The airplane hydroplaned down the runway. The pilot stated "She applied reverse thrust upon landing". According to the Beech A100 Airplane Flight Manual, the flap up landing distance on dry asphalt, without propeller reversing is approximately 2200 feet of ground roll. The Safety Information Section of the Pilots Opoerating Hadbook states "Use caution when landing on runways covered by water or slush which cause hydroplaning, a phenomenon that renders breaking and steering ineffective because of the lack of sufficient surface friction". Examination of the airplane revealed that the propeller assemblies were damaged. Both engines were also damaged. The pilot stated that she did not compute the landing roll distance needed for landing on the wet runway.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot misjudged the approach and touchdown airspeeds that resulted in the overrun of the runway during a landing. Factors were the wet runway and hydroplaning conditions.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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