Accident Sequence
As the airplane descended toward the airport, the pilot-in-command (PIC) calculated that the required landing distance on a dry runway would be 2,720 feet. The second-in-command (SIC) communicated to the PIC, "all right if I touch down and there's no brakes I'm going around." The airplane touched down with approximately 2,233 feet of runway remaining on a 5,101-foot long runway. It subsequently departed the end of the runway and proceeded into an overrun grassy area, where the nose landing gear assembly collapsed.
Environmental Conditions
The ILS Runway 23 approach was in use. A Hawker Jet that landed prior to the accident flight reported braking action as "poor." All runway surfaces were covered with a thin layer of snow. The tower controller advised the flightcrew of wind conditions from 330 degrees at 18 knots. The latest recorded weather at the airport included winds from 330 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 22 knots, visibility of 3/4 statute mile with light snow, and overcast clouds at 300 feet.
Performance Considerations
According to the airplane's Pilot's Operating Manual, the estimated landing distance on a dry runway for the conditions at the time of the accident was approximately 2,750 feet. No charts were available in the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual to compute a landing distance incorporating a contaminated runway. Review of 14 CFR Part 25.1, which prescribes airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes, revealed that the landing distance on land must be determined on a level, smooth, dry, hard-surfaced runway. There were no requirements for the applicant to determine landing distances on a wet or contaminated runway.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause findings state: the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on the runway, and the pilot-in-command's failure to initiate a go-round. Factors in the accident were the tailwind condition and the snow-covered runway.