Summary
On March 23, 2012, a Rockwell International 690C (N840JC) was involved in an incident near Conrad, MT. All 5 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane due to ice and slushy snow on the runway during the landing roll.
The pilot, who was executing a Global Positioning System approach to a non-controlled airport with an unmonitored Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, saw a snowplow clearing snow from the runway as he broke out of the overcast in a light snow shower. Soon after the pilot spotted the snowplow, it exited the runway, and he continued his approach/landing sequence. After touchdown, the airplane began to slide when it encountered an area of ice and slush that still remained on the runway surface. Although the pilot decided he should initiate a go-around, he was never sufficiently realigned with the runway to feel that he could safely apply go-around power.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR12CA145. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N840JC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane due to ice and slushy snow on the runway during the landing roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot, who was executing a Global Positioning System approach to a non-controlled airport with an unmonitored Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, saw a snowplow clearing snow from the runway as he broke out of the overcast in a light snow shower. Soon after the pilot spotted the snowplow, it exited the runway, and he continued his approach/landing sequence. After touchdown, the airplane began to slide when it encountered an area of ice and slush that still remained on the runway surface. Although the pilot decided he should initiate a go-around, he was never sufficiently realigned with the runway to feel that he could safely apply go-around power. As the pilot continued his efforts to realign the airplane, it departed the side of the runway, and prior to coming to a stop it impacted a natural gas line warning sign. The impact with the sign resulted in a tear in the stressed skin of the fuselage that exceeded eight inches in length. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction associated with the accident sequence.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR12CA145