No fatalities

1998-01-06: Cessna 500 Citation (N1DK) — US Motorsports — Pittsburgh-Allegheny County, United States of America

Pittsburgh-Allegheny County, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 6, 1998, a Cessna 500 Citation (registration N1DK) operated by US Motorsports was involved in an aviation accident near Pittsburgh-Allegheny County, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to make a go-around when he failed to achieve a normal touchdown due to excessive speed, and which resulted in an overrun. Factors were the reduced visibility due to fog, and the wet runway. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781205503Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane overran the runway after landing long on an ILS approach in rain and fog, struck the localizer antenna, and came to rest at the edge of a mobile home park. The airplane and two mobile homes were destroyed by fire.

Incident Overview

The pilot initiated an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach in conditions of rain and fog. The aircraft maintained approach flaps until the runway was sighted, after which landing flaps were selected. The airplane touched down long, overran the runway, struck the ILS localizer antenna located at the departure end, and came to rest at the edge of a mobile home park. Both the airplane and two mobile homes were destroyed by fire.

Speed and Performance Details

The reference speed (Vref) had been calculated at 110 knots. The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported a final approach speed of 130 knots, while the second-in-command (SIC) indicated it was 140 knots. Radar data showed a ground speed of 160 knots from the outer marker until 1.8 miles from touchdown. The aircraft passed the control tower while airborne with 2,500 feet of runway remaining on a 6,500-foot-long runway.

Performance data indicated that the airplane would require approximately 2,509 feet for landing on a dry runway and 5,520 feet on a wet runway. The aircraft was not equipped with thrust reversers or anti-skid brakes.

Crew Information

The PIC was the company president and was qualified for single-pilot operations in the airplane, having been trained to fly stabilized approaches. The SIC was a recent hire who had flown with the PIC on three previous occasions.

Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to make a go-around when he failed to achieve a normal touchdown due to excessive speed, which resulted in an overrun. Factors were the reduced visibility due to fog and the wet runway.