What happened
The incident occurred during the landing roll phase of flight. The aircraft touched down on a runway that was only 1,800 feet long and 30 feet wide. Conditions on the runway surface were wet. As the aircraft decelerated, it veered to the right off the paved surface.
Following the departure from the runway, the aircraft nosed over. The pilot attempted to stop the aircraft by applying the brakes twice; however, these applications had no effect on slowing the aircraft's momentum. On a third application, the pilot grabbed the brake controls firmly in an effort to halt the movement.
The investigation
Following the event, the aircraft was examined for any mechanical issues that might have contributed to the accident. Inspections revealed no malfunctions with the aircraft systems or structure prior to the incident. The examination focused on determining if a pre-existing mechanical failure caused the loss of control during the landing roll.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor in the accident was the runway condition. Given the wet surface and the short length of the runway, hydroplaning probably occurred. This phenomenon reduced tire traction, rendering the brake applications ineffective until the pilot applied significant force on the third attempt, by which time it was too late to prevent the nose-over.
Safety message
Pilots operating on short runways with wet or contaminated surfaces must be aware of the increased risk of hydroplaning. Adequate runway length and effective braking action are critical for safe landing rollouts under such conditions.