Accident Overview
On Friday, July 16, 1993, at 1405 mountain daylight time, a Beech B-60, registration N75CX, overran the end of the runway and impacted terrain while landing at the Camas County Airport in Fairfield, Idaho. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 for a business flight. An IFR flight plan was filed, and the flight departed Hermiston, Oregon at 1244. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Injuries and Damage
The private certificated pilot and passenger Peter W. VanKomen sustained serious injuries. Passenger Chris A. Carrow suffered minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. There was no fire.
Landing and Runway Details
Witnesses reported that the pilot landed on runway 7 near the center of the 2950-foot-long gravel airstrip and was unable to stop on the runway. The aircraft skidded off the east end of the runway, where it impacted a ditch and dirt embankment. The Camas County Sheriff examined tire marks on the runway; according to his measurement, the marks began 1400 feet from the west end of the runway.
Witness Accounts of Wind Conditions
A witness, Bill Simon, stated that the pilot landed in downwind conditions estimated at 15 to 20 knots. Another witness, David Coffin, a private pilot, reported that the two wind socks on the strip were fully extended, indicating wind from west to east at a velocity in excess of 25 MPH, with gusts of 30 to 35 MPH.
Weather and Airport Information
The surface aviation weather observation taken at Hailey, Idaho (24 miles northeast of the accident site) at 1350 MDT recorded: 3000 feet scattered clouds, visibility 30 miles, temperature 65°F, dew point 29°F, wind 210° at 10 knots, and altimeter 30.05 inches Hg. The density altitude at the airport was calculated to be 6488 feet. The airport facility directory indicates that the Camas County Airport has a single 2950-by-40-foot dirt runway oriented 070° and 250°, with an elevation of 5058 feet above mean sea level.
Probable Cause
The official findings stated that the probable cause was the pilot's improper inflt planning/decision in selecting the wrong runway for landing, with a factor relating to the accident being the strong tailwind weather conditions.