No fatalities

1974-04-12: Beechcraft E18 (N40K) — Great Western Airlines — Cheyenne, United States of America

Cheyenne, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 12, 1974, a Beechcraft E18 (registration N40K) operated by Great Western Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Cheyenne, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Ice/slush on runway and hydroplaning on wet runway. Contributing factors: Delayed in initiating go-around, Unfavorable wind conditions, Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind, High obstructions, No effective braking on roll out, Hit poles and trees… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781231577Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo pilot, sole occupant, was injured when his twin-engine aircraft struck an electric pole and trees before crashing into a lake after a late go-around on a wet runway.

Incident Details

The pilot, the sole occupant, was operating a cargo flight from Riverton to Denver with an intermediate stop in Cheyenne. After touchdown on a runway that was wet and slushy, the pilot found it difficult to decelerate the aircraft properly and decided to execute a go-around. The decision was made too late, causing the aircraft to depart the runway far down its length. Following liftoff, the twin-engine airplane struck an electric pole and several trees before crashing into a small lake. The pilot sustained injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Investigation

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be ice or slush on the runway and hydroplaning on the wet runway. Contributing factors reported included a delayed initiation of the go-around, unfavorable wind conditions, selection of the wrong runway relative to the existing wind, high obstructions in the area, lack of effective braking during the rollout, the aircraft striking poles and trees during the go-around, and the absence of a crosswind limits chart in the aircraft manual (noted as "Aircraft man-no crosswind limits chart").