On September 1, 1997, a Beech 95-A55 (registration N437CG) operated by Travel Methods,llc was involved in an aviation accident near Murfreesboro, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's landing speed of 110 knots significantly exceeded the normal approach speed of 87 knots specified in the flight manual, combined with the condition of the wet runway, prevented the aircraft from stopping before the end of the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Beech 95-A55 aircraft failed to stop on a wet runway during landing, resulting in an excursion down an embankment and structural damage.
What happened
During the landing phase of flight, a Beech 95-A55 touched down approximately mid-field on a wet runway. The pilot reported that the aircraft was traveling at an airspeed of 110 knots upon touchdown. Despite the application of full braking, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining runway length and departed the end of the pavement.
Following the runway excursion, the aircraft rolled down an embankment. The impact resulted in no fatalities or injuries, but caused significant structural damage, including the collapse of the nose gear and damage to the right-side nose gear bulkhead and the inboard structure of the left wing ribs.
A witness at the scene observed the aircraft on a final approach glidepath that was well high. This witness further noted that the airplane landed very fast.
Probable cause
The pilot's landing speed of 110 knots significantly exceeded the normal approach speed of 87 knots specified in the flight manual, combined with the condition of the wet runway, prevented the aircraft from stopping before the end of the runway.