No fatalities

2003-12-16: Beechcraft 99 Airliner (N399CZ) — Freight Runners Express — Wausau, United States of America

Wausau, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On December 16, 2003, a Beechcraft 99 Airliner (registration N399CZ) operated by Freight Runners Express was involved in an aviation accident near Wausau, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate and his inadequate flare. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781200632Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot experienced a hard landing at Central Wisconsin Airport after losing control during approach in low visibility, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported a hard landing that caused substantial damage to the airplane at Central Wisconsin Airport. The pilot provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the landing.

Pilot's Account

The pilot stated: "On approach to rwy 8 at [Central Wisconsin Airport] I got high [and] right of course. When I broke out of clouds around 1000 [feet above ground level] I saw the runway, realizing I was high I pulled the power back [and] increased my rate of descent. I started to arrest my rate of descent [and] add power to keep my speed up. The engines didn't spool up in time resulting in a hard [landing]. I noticed the right wing was a little low taxing in so I thought maybe I blew a tire on landing. Not until I shut down [and] got out did I realize I hit the prop about an inch back [and] the engine nacelle dropped down several inches in front."

Weather Conditions

The reported weather conditions at the time included: wind 330 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 4 statute miles, present weather light snow, sky condition overcast at 300 feet, temperature 1 degree C, dew point -1 degree C, and altimeter 29.41 inches of mercury.

Mechanical Status

The pilot reported that the flight did not have any mechanical malfunctions.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage during the hard landing.

Probable Cause

The official findings attributed the accident to the pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate and his inadequate flare.