On June 24, 2001, a Beech 77 (registration N3818D) was involved in an aviation accident near Rock Hill, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The poor weather evaluation by the pilot for landing with a tailwind and failure of the pilot to perform a go-around after the first bounced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landing on a 2,700-foot grass airstrip experienced two touchdowns and ineffective braking, resulting in the aircraft rolling into a ditch. The pilot reported a tailwind pushing the aircraft down the runway.
Accident Narrative
The pilot reported that the flight proceeded to the destination airport for his first landing on a grass airstrip. The windsock indicated variable winds from the north at 6-7 knots. He elected to land to the west, maintaining 60 knots on final approach with flaps fully extended. The aircraft touched down about one-third of the way down the 2,700-foot runway but became airborne again. It touched down a second time, and the pilot applied brakes, which he felt had no effect on stopping the airplane. He stated, "I felt as though I was being pushed down the runway by a tailwind." The airplane veered to the left; he corrected back to centerline but was unable to stop before the aircraft rolled into a 3-foot ditch located at the departure end of the runway. He reported that he did not think there was a brake malfunction.
Aircraft and Runway Information
The accident occurred on a grass airstrip with a runway length of 2,700 feet. A 3-foot ditch was present at the departure end of the runway. The pilot had not previously landed at this airstrip.
Weather Observations
At the time of the accident, the windsock at the airstrip showed variable winds from the north at 6-7 knots. A METAR weather observation taken at the departure airport approximately 9 minutes after the accident indicated wind from 070 degrees at 9 knots. The accident airstrip is located about 5 nautical miles south-southwest of the departure airport.