Accident Details
On October 22, 2012, about 1845 central daylight time, a Beech B90 airplane, registered as N821DA, collided with a fence and a ditch after overrunning runway 8R during landing at Sylvania Airport (C89) in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. Runway 8R measures 2,272 feet in length and 38 feet in width, with an asphalt surface. The airplane sustained damage to its fuselage and both wings. The commercial pilot reported no injuries, while the passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft was registered to Direct Action Aviation LLC and operated by Skydive Midwest. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from Jackson County Airport-Reynolds Field (JXN) in Jackson, Michigan, about 1800.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that the landing approach was normal. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, it floated, and he pulled the engine power levers to the stops. Although he did not recall the airplane bouncing, his passenger informed him that it had. He then pulled the power levers to reverse, but did not experience immediate reverse thrust. Applying the brakes, he felt the airplane accelerate. Recognizing that he would not be able to stop on the remaining runway, he attempted to steer the airplane to the north. The airplane departed the runway, impacted two ditches, and came to rest on a highway. The pilot stated that he should have recognized that braking action would be significantly reduced with the possibility of hydroplaning, that pulling the power levers to the stops before touchdown induced a lag in reverse thrust activation, and that he should have executed a go-around when the airplane floated during the approach. He reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane.
Weather Conditions
At 1853, weather conditions reported at Kenosha Regional Airport (ENW), located about 6 miles south of the accident site, included heavy rain. This information was consistent with the instrument meteorological conditions present at the time of the accident.