Synopsis
On an unspecified date, a Beech 400A conducted a flight with two pilots and two passengers. The second-in-command (SIC) was the pilot flying for takeoff, climb, cruise, and descent, seated in the left seat. The pilot-in-command (PIC) was the pilot monitoring for most of the flight, seated in the right seat. Before takeoff, the PIC calculated the reference speed (Vref) for the estimated landing weight with flaps 30 degrees as 120 knots and a landing distance of 3,440 ft. No mechanical issues were noted with the brakes, flaps, antiskid, or traffic alert and collision avoidance (TCAS) systems prior to departure.
Flight Crew Actions
During the flight, the PIC coached and instructed the SIC, including instructions on setting the airspeed command cursor, performing the after-takeoff checklist, and reducing thrust to silence an overspeed warning. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured no approach briefing or discussion of runway length or Vref speed.
Approach to Atlanta-DeKalb Peachtree Airport
While northwest of Dekalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) on a right base leg for a visual approach to runway 20L with negligible wind, air traffic controllers repeatedly announced the location and distance of a Cessna airplane ahead of the Beech 400A on a straight-in approach to runway 20R. The Beech 400A flight crew did not see the other airplane, and controllers instructed them to maintain altitude 2,300 ft msl until they had the traffic in sight. Radar data showed the Beech 400A briefly descended to 2,200 ft msl then climbed back to 2,300 ft msl. At 1004:42, about 12 seconds after the altitude instruction, the TCAS alerted "traffic traffic." The climb back to 2,300 ft msl was likely a response to the ATC instruction rather than the TCAS warning.
At 1004:47, the SIC stated "first degree of," likely referring to flap extension, but did not complete the comment. The CVR recorded an immediate increase in background noise, likely from landing gear extension. The PIC then advised the local controller that the flight was turning onto final approach.
Landing and Runway Overrun
After landing on runway 20L at Atlanta-DeKalb Peachtree Airport, the aircraft did not stop as expected. It overran the runway, went through a fence, and came to rest near a road, broken in two. All four occupants were injured; both pilots sustained serious injuries.
Probable Cause
The official finding stated: "The flight crew's failure to obtain the proper airspeed for landing, which resulted in the airplane touching down too fast with inadequate runway remaining to stop and a subsequent runway overrun. Contributing to the accident were the failure of either pilot to call for a go-around and the flight crew's poor crew resource management and lack of professionalism."