Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, a Beechcraft A100, registration C-FMAI, operated by Myrand Aviation Inc., was conducting a chartered instrument flight rules flight from QuÈbec/Jean Lesage International Airport to Chibougamau/Chapais Airport in Quebec. The aircraft carried two pilots and three passengers.
Sequence of Events
The copilot was at the controls and executed a non-precision approach for Runway 05. The pilot-in-command took over control less than one mile from the runway threshold and first observed the runway when the aircraft was over the threshold. At approximately 1018 eastern daylight time, the wheels touched down about 1500 feet from the far end of Runway 05. Realizing the remaining landing distance was insufficient, the pilot-in-command instructed the copilot to retract the flaps and applied full power without disclosing his intentions. The copilot, however, cut power, selected reverse pitch, and applied full braking. The aircraft continued rolling past the runway end, sank into gravel and snow, and came to an abrupt stop around 500 feet beyond the runway. The aircraft sustained severe damage; none of the five occupants were injured.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified the following causes and contributing factors: 1. The aircraft was positioned over the runway threshold at an altitude that did not allow a landing at the beginning of the runway; combined with a tailwind component and wet runway surface, this resulted in a runway excursion. 2. Failure to follow standard operating procedures and a lack of crew coordination contributed to confusion on landing, which prevented the crew from aborting the landing and executing a missed approach. 3. The pilot-in-command held several management positions within the company and controlled pilot hiring and dismissal policies; this situation, combined with the copilot's level of experience relative to the pilot-in-command, had an impact on crew cohesiveness.
Findings as to risk included: the pilot-in-command's decision to execute an approach for Runway 05 without first ensuring no possible risk of collision with other aircraft; the regulatory requirement to conform to or avoid traffic patterns being not explicit in terms of altitude or distance; and regulations not indicating whether the missed approach segment is part of the traffic pattern, potentially leading pilots to believe they are avoiding another aircraft when a risk of collision exists.