What happened
The aircraft departed from a gravel runway covered in ice during nighttime conditions. According to a passenger, the plane touched down near the middle of the field at an airspeed higher than normal. The aircraft bounced once before sliding off the departure end of the runway.
The pilot reported that the runway lights were intermittent, complicating visibility. Winds were light and variable. The pilot stated he was fatigued after being denied a day off from his seven-day work schedule, noting he felt something was going to happen.
The investigation
Post-accident examination revealed that all three landing gear struts had collapsed or were bent due to the impact forces of sliding off the runway end. The pilot confirmed the mechanical damage to the undercarriage.
Findings
Contributing factors included:
- ice-covered runway surface reducing friction and braking effectiveness
- high touchdown speed leading to a bounce and loss of directional control
- intermittent runway lighting impairing visual cues during night operations
- pilot fatigue from excessive duty hours without adequate rest
The combination of adverse weather, poor visibility aids, and crew exhaustion led to the accident.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure adequate rest before flight and avoid operating in conditions where runway surface contamination and lighting failures significantly increase landing risks.