Casualties unknown

Aircraft Overruns Runway After Landing Long in Rain and Tailwind (N3132M)

Hickory, NC, US

On May 27, 1984, a Cessna 402C (registration N3132M) operated by Sunbird Airlines,inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Hickory, NC. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During an ILS approach in moderate rain, the aircraft touched down past the halfway point with a tailwind and downslope. Braking was ineffective; the pilot performed a ground loop but the aircraft left the runway and collided with terrain.

Approach and Touchdown

The aircraft was conducting an ILS approach to runway 24, which is 6400 feet long. Visual contact with the runway was established at approximately 500 feet AGL, at which point the aircraft was indicating one dot high on the glide slope. Witnesses reported that the aircraft touched down past the halfway point on the runway with full flaps in moderate rain. At the time, a 5-knot tailwind was present, and the runway had a 0.8% downslope.

Braking and Evasive Action

Upon application of the brakes, the pilot found them ineffective and called for flaps up. Braking remained ineffective, and the pilot elected to ground loop the aircraft to stop. Left-turning skid marks were found starting 300 feet before the end of the runway. The skid marks continued 120 feet beyond the runway until the aircraft traveled off an embankment. Approximately 3 inches of water was present on the runway when the accident occurred.

Collision

The aircraft traveled 120 feet beyond the embankment and collided with upsloping terrain on the other side.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X39462. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.