What happened
On 11 November 2003, a BEECH 58, registration ZS-JPE, was conducting a commercial charter flight from Malelane Aerodrome to Pongola Aerodrome. The flight, carrying a pilot and three passengers, encountered several thunderstorms during the en-route phase, necessitating a slight deviation from the original flight path.
Upon arriving at Pongola, the pilot established a left-hand downwind pattern for Runway 34. Although the pilot observed that the runway surface was wet, it did not appear to be waterlogged. During the final approach, rainfall commenced. The aircraft touched down approximately 15 to 20 meters past the runway number markings with full flaps extended.
Upon attempting to decelerate, the pilot found that the brakes were completely ineffective. In an effort to increase traction, the pilot retracted the flaps to place more weight on the wheels, but the braking issue persisted. The pilot then pulled the control column fully aft to utilize aerodynamic braking; however, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits. The BEECH 58 exited the runway and entered the overrun area, where the nose gear struck a hole and detached. The aircraft finally came to a rest roughly 78 paces from the runway edge. There were no injuries to the four occupants.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the braking system and the environmental conditions at the time of landing. Investigators examined the aircraft's performance capabilities and the pilot's actions during the emergency. The inquiry also reviewed the manufacturer's documentation regarding landing distances on non-standard surfaces.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the total loss of braking effectiveness following touchdown.
- The runway surface was wet due to active rainfall during the approach.
- The aircraft's nose gear was damaged when it struck a depression in the overrun area.
- Both engines remained operational during the excursion, and the propellers made contact with the ground.
Safety action
- The investigation identified a significant deficiency in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). The performance graphs regarding landing distances did not provide necessary adjustments for landing on wet, grass, or gravel surfaces.
- It is recommended that the CAA Certification Department address this omission in the manufacturer's documentation to ensure pilots can accurately calculate required runway lengths under varying surface conditions.