Accident Details
American Eagle flight 4047 was substantially damaged when it veered off runway 28 and impacted runway lights during touchdown. The accident occurred at night in instrument meteorological conditions, with visibility of 1/2 statute mile in snow and freezing fog.
Flight Crew Actions
The flight crew briefed an icing approach speed of 123 knots, with the first officer serving as the flying pilot. Flight 4047 was cleared for the ILS 28 approach and began its descent at a point 1.6 nautical miles inbound from the outer marker. During the final approach segment, the airplane reached a descent rate of 2,000 feet per minute, and alerts from the ground proximity warning system (GPWS) defining the outer and inner envelopes sounded. Indicated airspeed varied from 160 knots to 122.8 knots during the descent. The first officer transferred flight controls to the captain at approximately 400-500 feet above ground level.
Weather and Runway Conditions
Fifty-six seconds prior to touchdown, air traffic control (ATC) issued winds from 070 degrees at 17 knots, with a runway 28 Mu value of 82,85,81 and chemically treated thin loose snow over patchy ice. The tailwind component was calculated as 14.722 knots. Two seconds before touchdown, ATC issued winds from 060 degrees at 20 knots, giving a tailwind component of 15.320 knots. The American Eagle Aircraft Operating Manual specified a limiting tailwind component of 10 knots for the airplane.
Aircraft Damage
The southern runway lights extending from 2,574 feet to 3,311 feet down the runway were damaged. Flight data recorder information indicated that flight 4047 touched down in a 7-degree left bank attitude. Following the accident, an American Eagle crew chief stated that the number 1 main landing gear (MLG) tire was peeled off the rim and "ripped up bad." The number 2 MLG tire had sideway scuff marks on the treaded portion. The crew chief performed an antiskid (A/S) test and noted that if it had been bad, he would have entered it into the minimum equipment list.
Post-Accident Events
The aircraft received a ferry permit to be flown to Marquette for repair. The ferry captain reported flying the aircraft from Traverse City (TVC) to Marquette. Prior to leaving the gate, he tested the antiskid system, and one of the fault lights illuminated momentarily, described as "just a blink." He then executed a high-speed taxi, braked, and stopped the aircraft, after which he tested the antiskid light again, and no light illuminated. He reported no problems en route or upon landing at Marquette, and added that no fault light illumination occurred during or after landing at Marquette.