Citation 560XL overruns Porterville runway after fast, high approach

A Cessna Citation 560XL business jet overran the end of a runway at Porterville, California, and was substantially damaged, according to preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board.

The aircraft was arriving from Oakland on 1 September and was on a visual straight-in approach to runway 12. Investigators say it was at 1,000ft about 1nm from the runway, while Porterville sits at an elevation of 433ft, indicating the jet began the approach high. It had descended to 600ft at roughly 1,800ft from the threshold, travelling at a groundspeed of 234kt.

The safety board estimates the aircraft crossed the threshold at between 225kt and 250kt and floated about a third to halfway along the 5,960ft runway. The captain applied heavy braking after touchdown. The jet ran off the runway end, went through a fence and crossed two roads before stopping in a field.

Both pilots received minor injuries. The four passengers were uninjured. An examination of the aircraft, registered N562JL, showed substantial damage to its wings.

Weather at the time was good, with no wind or adverse conditions reported. FAA records show the jet was built in 2002. The inquiry has not reached conclusions on the accident.