Aircraft excursion following touchdown on wet runway

Casualties unknown • Boulder, CO, US

An aircraft experienced a runway excursion after touching down on a wet surface during light to moderate turbulence.

What happened

During the final approach leg, the aircraft encountered light to moderate turbulence which caused the airspeed to drop. Upon touchdown, the right main landing gear made contact first, and the aircraft proceeded to bounce. Both main gears subsequently touched down on a wet runway, at which point the aircraft drifted from left to right.

The aircraft became airborne again, turning approximately 10 to 15 degrees to the right before almost instantly setting back down on the runway. In an attempt to correct the movement, the pilot applied full right aileron and full left rudder; however, this caused the aircraft to turn sharply to the right, resulting in the left wing scraping the tarmac. The aircraft exited the right side of the runway and came to rest at a 90-degree angle to the runway, approximately 30 feet from the edge.

A witness reported that the aircraft landed with a tailwind.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a runway excursion due to landing on a wet runway with a tailwind during turbulent conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-09-14 Cessna A185F accident near Boulder, CO?

An aircraft experienced a runway excursion after touching down on a wet surface during light to moderate turbulence.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-09-14 involved a Cessna A185F, registration N4807, operated by Michael C. Gerhardt, at Boulder, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced a runway excursion due to landing on a wet runway with a tailwind during turbulent conditions.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050920X01496. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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