On January 15, 1986, a Cessna 501 (registration N414CB) operated by Visalia Airmotive was involved in an aviation accident near North Bend, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Hydroplaning on a wet runway leading to a go-around decision made too late in the landing roll, resulting in a collision with localizer antennas during climbout. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot elected to go around on a wet runway with gusting tailwinds, striking localizer antennas during the climbout before landing safely on another runway.
What happened
The flight was proceeding on final approach when the Flight Service Station provided the pilot with current wind conditions and the favored runway. The pilot attempted to land on Runway 04 under conditions featuring a right gusting quartering tailwind and a wet runway surface. Hydroplaning occurred during the landing roll, prompting the pilot to elect for a go-around maneuver. This decision was made when the aircraft had already traveled more than half the length of the runway. During the subsequent climbout phase, the aircraft struck localizer antennas.
The investigation
The source material does not provide specific details regarding mechanical examination or post-accident inspection findings beyond the collision with the ground-based navigation equipment.
Probable cause
Hydroplaning on a wet runway leading to a go-around decision made too late in the landing roll, resulting in a collision with localizer antennas during climbout.