What happened
The accident occurred during the final phase of flight as the aircraft attempted to land. According to the pilot's account, the approach was conducted in challenging weather conditions featuring a 20-knot crosswind component. To manage these wind conditions, the pilot made specific configuration choices, electing to carry extra airspeed and utilize less flap extension than might typically be used for such an approach.
Despite these adjustments, the aircraft failed to stop within the available pavement. The airplane overran the end of the runway, which measured 2800 feet in length. Post-accident examination of the runway surface confirmed that the main landing gear touched down approximately halfway along the strip. After leaving the paved surface, the aircraft struck a fence and subsequently collided with a vehicle traveling on a road adjacent to the airfield.
The investigation
Investigators examined the physical evidence at the accident site to reconstruct the sequence of events. A key finding from the inspection of the runway was the precise location of the initial ground contact. The examination revealed that the airplane touched down about halfway down the 2800-foot runway, indicating that the aircraft had sufficient distance remaining under normal circumstances but failed to decelerate appropriately.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident involved the pilot's decision-making regarding approach speed and flap configuration in crosswind conditions. The use of extra speed combined with less flaps resulted in a landing roll that exceeded the available runway length. The aircraft ultimately overran the runway, leading to the collision with infrastructure and a vehicle on the nearby road.