What happened
A scheduled domestic passenger flight traveling from LaGuard 1erna International Airport to Milwaukee International Airport (MKE) experienced a hydraulic issue during the climbout phase. While at Flight Level 20, the crew observed the No. 1 Hydraulic Low Pressure caution light. Following the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedures, the crew was instructed to land at the nearest suitable airport. The captain notified airline maintenance control of the caution message but did not notify flight dispatch regarding the hydraulic issue or the decision to divert.
The flight proceeded to its destination and was cleared to land on runway 1L under winds of 290 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot reported a normal landing until the aircraft began veering off the left side of the runway. The aircraft departed the runway surface approximately 4,200 feet beyond the threshold.
The investigation
Post-accident inspections of the aircraft revealed no preexisting anomalies, though it was confirmed that the loss of the No. 1 Hydraulic system resulted in the loss of ground spoilers. An aircraft performance study determined the airplane crossed the runway 1L threshold at approximately 2302:16 with an indicated airspeed of 139 knots and a pitch angle of 4 degrees nose down. Touchdown occurred 2,400 feet beyond the threshold with a 5-degree crab angle. Following touchdown, the aircraft's ground track drifted right of centerline before turning left and exiting the runway.
The investigation also examined airport operations. It was found that airport personnel did not inspect Runway 1L/19R following a pilot report from a Beech Jet indicating nil braking action earlier that evening. Furthermore, no friction measurement reports or NOTAMs were provided for the runway between March 10 at 1925 and the accident at 2302, despite changing conditions involving significant snowfall accumulations. No runway inspection or friction report was conducted by the airport after this aircraft veered off the runway.