On November 1, 1994, a Cessna 205A (registration N4801U) operated by Orofino Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Lowell, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing on a contaminated runway, which resulted in a long landing, loss of braking effectiveness, runway overrun, and collision with trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot landed long and fast on a wet runway with fresh snow, lost braking effectiveness, overran the upwind end of the runway, and collided with trees. No mechanical issues were reported during the landing.
What happened
The pilot reported that he landed long and fast, and that the runway was wet and had about a one inch layer of fresh, wet snow overlaying the short grass surface. During the landing rollout he had no braking, overran the upwinding end of the runway and collided with trees. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft during the landing.
The investigation
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft during the landing.
Findings
The pilot reported that he landed long and fast, and that the runway was wet and had about a one inch layer of fresh, wet snow overlaying the short grass surface. During the landing rollout he had no braking, overran the upwinding end of the runway and collided with trees.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing on a contaminated runway, which resulted in a long landing, loss of braking effectiveness, runway overrun, and collision with trees.