Incident Overview
During an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to a 6,001-foot runway, an aircraft overran the runway after touchdown. Visibility was 1-1/4 miles in rain.
Flight Details
The pilot-in-command (PIC) was the flight department's chief pilot and occupied the right seat as the non-flying pilot, monitoring the approach. The second-in-command (SIC), a captain, was in the left seat as the flying pilot. The autopilot was engaged, and a coupled approach was planned.
After the autopilot captured the ILS, the aircraft descended on the glideslope. The PIC announced that the approach lights were in sight. The SIC stated that he also saw the lights and disengaged the autopilot. The SIC then turned on the windshield wipers and lost visual contact with the runway. He announced that he had lost visual contact, but the PIC stated that he still saw the runway.
The SIC considered executing a missed approach but continued because the PIC maintained visual contact. The PIC stated, "I have the lights" and began directing the SIC before taking over the controls.
Aircraft Touchdown and Overrun
The aircraft touched down. The speed brakes extended, and approximately 1,000 feet later, the aircraft overran the runway.
Post-Accident Statements
The PIC stated that he was confused as to who was PIC during the event and that he and the SIC were "co-captains." When asked about standard operating procedures (SOPs), the PIC indicated that they did not have any. He explained that operations began with one pilot and one airplane and had grown to five pilots and two airplanes without establishing formal SOPs.
The PIC later said that they probably should have executed a go-around when the flying pilot could not see out the window. He noted that the windshields lacked a water-repellent coating and did not shed water. One year prior, while flying in rain, the PIC's vision through the windshield was blurred, but he did not report it to maintenance.
Manufacturer's data indicated that the windshield was coated to enhance vision during rain. The manufacturer advised that the coating might not last the life of the windshield and provided guidance to assess acceptable and unacceptable rain repellent performance.