Accident Overview
On 30 July 2013 at 1315 UTC, a Beechcraft 58TC Baron (registration N6751W, serial TK-121, manufactured 1980) operated as a private flight landed at Panshanger Aerodrome, Hertfordshire. The sole occupant, the pilot, was uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear, right wing, and both propellers.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was powered by two Continental Motors Corp TSIO-520 SER piston engines. The pilot held an FAA Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence, was 52 years old, and had 2,965 hours total flying experience, including 75 hours on type. In the previous 90 days, he had flown 104 hours; in the previous 28 days, 31 hours.
Circumstances of the Accident
The pilot reported broken cloudbase at 1,000 ft, leading him to conduct a visual "bad weather" circuit to land on Runway 29, a grass runway. The runway surface was wet from recent rain. As the aircraft touched down, the pilot realized he had landed both deeper into the runway and faster than normal. After applying brakes, he "did not notice good retardation." A go-around was considered, but uncertain of its success, the pilot elected to remain on the runway.
Runway Overrun
The aircraft overran the runway and entered an adjacent field at low speed. During the overrun, it encountered a mound and ditch, which caused significant damage to the landing gear, right wing, and both propellers.
Performance Considerations
The pilot had considered the aircraft’s landing performance, applying a factor of 1.3, and recalled that touching down at the appropriate point on the runway would leave about 200 metres to spare. He commented that an earlier decision to go-around would have prevented the accident.
Guidance on Wet Grass Landings
The CAA’s Safety Sense Leaflet 7c, 'Aeroplane Performance', provides guidance on performance planning and factors for takeoffs and landings. It advises that very short wet grass on a firm soil base may be slippery, adding up to 60% to the landing distance required.