Accident Details
The aircraft overran the end of runway 23 following an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, crashed, and was destroyed by fire at Mercer County Airport, Bluefield, West Virginia. The runway was covered with wet snow at the time of the accident.
Landing and Go-Around Attempt
The aircraft touched down between 500 and 2,000 feet from the runway threshold. It did not decelerate normally. Approximately 1,200 feet from the departure end of the runway, the pilot added engine thrust and rotated the aircraft for a go-around. However, the aircraft did not become airborne due to insufficient flying speed.
Impact and Destruction
The aircraft overran the departure end of the runway and struck three localizer antennas and a 10-foot embankment before descending a steep, densely wooded hillside. The five occupants of the aircraft sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and subsequent fire.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be the pilot's attempt to land on a slush-covered runway with insufficient stopping distance available, and his delayed initiation of a go-around, which resulted in insufficient runway remaining to complete the maneuver successfully. A contributing factor was the lack of adequate emphasis in the manufacturer's aircraft flight manual regarding the required landing and stop distances under wet and icy runway conditions.