What happened
During a cross-country positioning flight, the crew of a business jet was preparing for a visual approach to runway 7. While descending through 18,000 feet, the pilot monitoring reported variable winds of 6 knots with gusts up to 17 knots. The pilot flying programmed the flight management system for the approach, estimating that the aircraft would require approximately 2,900 feet of the 4,495-foot runway to land safely.
During the transition to the final approach leg, the pilot flying overshot the centerline due to wind effects. Although the crew initially believed the approach was stabilized at 500 feet above ground level, they noted fluctuating airspeeds. As the aircraft descended to 200 feet, the airspeed began to drop, prompting the pilot flying to increase power. Despite noting high ground speeds and a left crosswind, the crew elected to continue the landing.
At approximately 75 to 100 feet above the ground, the crew was unaware that actual weather data showed a significant tailwind component of 16 to 26 knots. The aircraft touched down abruptly at a speed exceeding the reference speed. The crew applied both wheel and speed brakes, but the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently. The plane overran the end of the runway, traveling through grass and mud for roughly 370 feet. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, leading to substantial damage to the airframe. There were no fatalities.
Findings
- The crew failed to identify the presence of a significant tailwind that would have necessitated a go-around.
- The pilots did not utilize available wind information, such as the runway windsock, to assess the landing conditions.
- Post-accident testing confirmed that the braking and antiskid systems were fully functional and had operated as designed during the landing attempt.