Casualties unknown

1998-05-22: North American T-28B (N944RJ) — Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg, SC, US

On May 22, 1998, a North American T-28B (registration N944RJ) was involved in an aviation accident near Spartanburg, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance, and his delay in the use of brakes. Contributing to the accident was a thunderstorm, a wet runway, the pilot's self-induced pressure, and his inadequate inflight planning/decision. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot contracted to transport tissue overran the departure end of a 5,203-foot runway after landing during a thunderstorm. The pilot did not apply brakes until halfway down the runway, and the airplane came to rest against a guardrail.

Background

The pilot was contracted to transport tissue from Spartanburg to Charleston, South Carolina. Before departing on the positioning flight, the pilot received a briefing from Flight Service Station indicating a severe thunderstorm watch covering South Carolina and a thunderstorm east of Greer that was moving east and deteriorating. While taxiing to takeoff, the pilot was informed that the thunderstorm appeared to be over the destination airport; Greer Approach Control also advised that the thunderstorm was over the destination airport.

Flight and Approach

The flight continued despite the weather information. During the approach, the pilot reported increasing rain intensity, and a line service employee on the airport confirmed the increasing intensity. The pilot stated that he landed approximately one-quarter of the way down the 5,203-foot-long runway but did not apply the brakes until the halfway point.

Accident Sequence

The airplane rolled off the departure end of the runway, down an embankment, and came to rest against a guardrail. Postcrash examination of the brakes found no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The pilot was the sole pilot of an on-demand air taxi operation.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10161. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.