N8182A

On July 20, 1998, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8182A, was substantially damage when it departed the left side of a wet runway while landing at Mount Washington Regional Airport (HIE), Whitefield, New Hampshire. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight that originated from Manchester Airport (MHT), Manchester, New Hampshire. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The CFI stated that she checked the brakes while taxiing for departure from MHT. After departing, the pilot was assigned an initial altitude of 3,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL), and to avoid clouds building en route, she requested a higher altitude, and was subsequently cleared to 8,000 feet MSL.

According to the CFI, they where cleared for the Localizer 10 approach to HIE, with the intent of performing a full stop landing. The CFI stated that while on the approach, they descended below the clouds, about 3,500 feet MSL, and had 7 to 8 miles of visibility. The CFI estimated that on the runway was approximately a 1/4 inch of standing water, with surface winds of 300 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 20 knots. Because of the landing environment, the CFI decided to land the airplane herself, feeling that it might be too difficult for her student. In addition, she maintained 90 mph on final because of the wind gusts.

The CFI stated that the airplane touchdown on the runway centerline, approximately 1/3 of the way down the runway. She added that when she applied the brakes, they had no effect, and that directional control was marginal. The airplane then departed the left side of the runway.

In a written statement the CFI contributed the accident to hydroplaning.