Casualties unknown

2005-07-15: Cessna 525A (N3ST) — Beehawk Aviation Inc. — Newnan, GA

Newnan, GA, US

On July 15, 2005, a Cessna 525A (registration N3ST) operated by Beehawk Aviation Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Newnan, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's delay in aborting the landing and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors were hydroplaning condition, and the localizer antenna. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot aborted a landing after hydroplaning on a wet runway, then struck a localizer antenna during climb-out before returning for an uneventful landing.

Weather and Approach

The pilot obtained a full weather briefing before departing on an instrument flight. No thunderstorms or rain were forecast for the destination airport. Upon arrival, the pilot listened to the AWOS information, which reported no rain or thunderstorm activity. The controller informed the pilot of a weather cell located 25 miles north of his position and provided a vector for a localizer runway 32 approach. The pilot verified the weather on the airplane's weather radar.

Landing Attempt

The pilot was cleared for the approach 10 miles from the locator outer marker. At the outer marker, the pilot lowered the flaps to 15 degrees and extended the landing gear. The airplane was slowed to 115 knots. While descending through 200 feet, the pilot observed rain showers crossing the runway. The airplane touched down at the 1,000-foot marker, and the flaps were lowered to 60 degrees. The antiskid system was on, and the airplane began hydroplaning. The pilot attempted to use brakes, but the hydroplaning increased. The pilot released the brakes, and the airplane slowed to 78 knots. When brakes were reapplied, the hydroplaning continued.

Go-Around and Obstacle Strike

With 2,300 feet of runway remaining, the pilot elected to abort the landing. The airplane continued hydroplaning and became airborne 300 feet from the end of the runway. During the climb-out, the left main landing gear door and the right leading edge of the right wing collided with the localizer antenna.

Subsequent Landing

The pilot climbed to traffic pattern altitude, checked for damage, and contacted personnel on the ground. After a low pass for a visual check of damage, the pilot reentered left traffic and landed without further incident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050805X01167. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.