Casualties unknown

Pilot Lands Long on ILS Approach, Skids Off Runway in Fog (N404EW)

Bloomington, IN, US

On January 21, 1997, a Beech 300 (registration N404EW) was involved in an aviation accident near Bloomington, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's excessive distance/speed during the landing which led to his failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway. 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

A pilot conducting a second ILS approach for runway 35 in 1/8 mile visibility landed long, skidded off the end of the runway into snow, and collapsed the landing gear.

Incident Overview

A pilot was performing his second ILS approach for runway 35 after executing a missed approach on the first attempt. The control tower reported visibility of 1/8 of a mile in fog. According to the tower controller, the airplane was approximately 200-300 feet above the runway at the mid-field point of the 6,500-foot runway. The contract controller observed the airplane landing long, subsequently skidding off the end of the runway into snow, which caused the landing gear to collapse.

Context

The pilot and his employer had an interest in landing for an Indiana-Michigan basketball game. The weather minimums for the ILS 35 approach require 1/2 mile visibility. At the time of the approach, visibility was reported as 1/8 mile, below the minimum.

Sequence of Events

The first ILS approach resulted in a missed approach. On the second approach, the airplane descended and touched down long on the runway. It continued beyond the runway surface, skidding into snow-covered terrain. The landing gear collapsed during the off-runway excursion.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07271. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.