Aircraft overrun during landing near Kenmare, North Dakota

Casualties unknown • Kenmare, ND, US

An aircraft conducting cloud seeding operations collided with terrain after failing to decelerate during a landing attempt at an airport near Kenmare.

What happened

During a flight performing cloud seeding operations, the crew decided to land near Kenmare, North and Dakota, after running out of chemical agents. Upon approaching the airfield, the pilot observed a windsock indicating light winds from the northeast. The crew entered the traffic pattern for runway 08, conducting the approach with two notches of flaps.

As the aircraft neared the runway, the pilot noted the airspeed remained at 90 knots. The co-pilot subsequently deployed the final notch of flaps. The aircraft touched down approximately one-quarter of the way down the runway. Despite both the pilot and co-pilot applying the brakes, the aircraft failed to slow down on the runway. In an attempt to abort the landing, the pilot applied full throttle, but the aircraft continued down the runway and exited the end of the pavement. The plane skipped over a road and came to rest in a field after skidding sideways.

At the time of the incident, weather observations from Minot, North Dakota, indicated winds from 110 degrees at 8 knots at 2054. However, by 2154, conditions had changed significantly to winds from 350 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 23 knots.

Findings

Upon exiting the aircraft, the pilot observed that the wind direction had shifted to a strong wind from the west.

Probable cause

The aircraft overran the runway and collided with terrain after the crew was unable to decelerate the aircraft on the runway despite applying brakes and subsequently attempting to abort the landing with full power.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-08-26 Piper PA-34-200T accident near Kenmare, ND?

An aircraft conducting cloud seeding operations collided with terrain after failing to decelerate during a landing attempt at an airport near Kenmare.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-08-26 involved a Piper PA-34-200T, registration N9696C, at Kenmare, ND.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft overran the runway and collided with terrain after the crew was unable to decelerate the aircraft on the runway despite applying brakes and subsequently attempting to abort the landing with full power.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020830X01493. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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