Cessna 337 Overruns Runway at Beáriz Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • ES

A Cessna 337-G Skymaster veered off the runway and entered a water reservoir during landing due to an excessively long touchdown and tailwind.

What happened

On September 21, 2011, at approximately 20:20 h, a CESSNA 337-G «Skymastrer», registration EC-GDZ, operated by SAETA, was performing a landing at the Beáriz Aerodrome in Ourense, Spain. The aircraft had just completed a one-hour aerial forest fire observation mission with a pilot and an observer on board.

During the approach to runway 17, the pilot encountered a north-northeast wind with a 10-knot tailwind component. The pilot performed a wide base leg and configured the aircraft with full flaps at an indicated airspeed of 80 knots. However, the touchdown was excessively long. Upon realizing the aircraft was traveling too fast, the pilot attempted to execute a go-around but determined it was no longer viable. The pilot subsequently cut the engines and applied the brakes, but the aircraft could not be stopped within the runway limits. The aircraft exited the end of the runway, struck a perimeter fence, and ended up partially submerged in a water reservoir located at the end of the runway.

The aircraft sustained important damage, including damage to the nose landing gear, wing leading edges, and engine cowl flaps. The pilot was uninjured, while the observer sustained minor injuries.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by an excessively long landing touchdown combined with a significant tailwind component, which resulted in the aircraft overrunning the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2011-09-21 Cessna 337G Super Skymaster accident near ES?

A Cessna 337-G Skymaster veered off the runway and entered a water reservoir during landing due to an excessively long touchdown and tailwind.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2011-09-21 involved a Cessna 337G Super Skymaster, at ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by an excessively long landing touchdown combined with a significant tailwind component, which resulted in the aircraft overrunning the runway.

Investigation report by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). Original record: https://www.transportes.gob.es/recursos_mfom/2011_044_a.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviacion Civil (CIAIAC), Spain - Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible.

Loading the flight search…