ATL06CA080

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 525 · Murfreesboro, TN · May 16, 2006

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
May 16, 2006, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
Place
Murfreesboro, TN
Injuries
7 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N545TGCessna 525
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 3, 2006
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Nashville FSDO-03
FAA report
20060516010869A
Case key
63698

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing on a wet runway.

Analysis

The pilot stated that he was cleared by approach control for a visual approach to runway 18 at Murphreesboro Municipal Airport. The pilot tuned up the Airport Terminal Information System information on the airplane radio. The winds were reported at 240-degrees at 3 knots and the runway was wet. The pilot entered the traffic pattern, completed the before landing checklist, lowered the landing gear, and approach flaps on base leg. The pilot turned the airplane on final approach, lowered the flaps to the full down position, and activated the anti skid. The pilot landed the airplane on the first one third of the runway. The pilot stated that a front was approaching the airport and upon touchdown the wind had changed and heavy rains had started. The airplane touched down and started hydroplaning at midfield. The pilot stated there was insufficient runway remaining for him to initiate a go-around. The airplane went off the runway sideways, collapsed the left main landing gear, and came to a complete stop. The pilot completed the engine shutdown and he and the 6 passengers exited the airplane. After exiting the airplane the pilot observed the left flap had separated from the airframe and there was structural damage to the left wing. The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he lost directional control of the airplane as it was hydroplaning down the runway. He further stated there was no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.

Factual narrative

On May 16, 2006, at 1815 central daylight time, a Cessna 525, N545TG, registered to Interstate Warehousing Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, collapsed a left main landing gear on landing roll out at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, Murphreesboro, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The airline transport pilot and 6 passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Newport News, Virginia, on May 16, 2006, at 1715 eastern daylight time.

The pilot stated upon arrival in the Murphreesboro area he was cleared by Nashville Approach Control for a visual approach to runway 18 at Murphreesboro Municipal Airport. The pilot tuned up the Airport Terminal Information System information on the airplane radio. The winds were reported at 240-degrees at 3 knots and the runway was wet. The pilot entered the traffic pattern, completed the before landing checklist, lowered the landing gear, and approach flaps on base leg. The pilot turned the airplane on final approach, lowered the flaps to the full down position, and activated the anti skid. The pilot landed the airplane on the first one third of the runway. The pilot stated a front was approaching the airport and upon touchdown the wind had changed and heavy rains had started. The airplane started hydroplaning at midfield and there was insufficient runway remaining for the pilot to initiate a go-around. The airplane went off the runway sideways, collapsed the left main landing gear, and came to a complete stop. The pilot completed the engine shutdown and he and the 6 passengers exited the airplane. After exiting the airplane the pilot stated he observed the left flap had separated from the airframe and there was structural damage to the left wing. The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he lost directional control of the airplane as it was hydroplaning down the runway. He further stated there was no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll
Terrain condition - wet
Aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Main gear collapsedLanding - roll
Landing gear,main gear - overload

Aircraft

Registration
N545TG
Reported as
Cessna 525
Category
Airplane
Serial number
525-0545
Airframe hours
243
Engine
Williams International FJ44-1A, 1,900 lbs thrust, turbo fan
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Business · Part 91
Registered owner
Interstate Warehousing Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Continuous airworthiness · February 1, 2006 · 104 hours before
Departed
KPHF · Newport News, VA
Destination
KMBT · Murphreesboro, TN
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
KMBT · Murphreesboro Municipal, runway 18, 3,898 × 100 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
52
Injuries
None
Certificates
Airline transport, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
July 1, 2005
Seat
Left
Flight hours
8,700 total · 60 in this make and model · 8,500 as pilot in command · 60 in the last 90 days · 35 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
240° at 3 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
5,500 ft broken
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 48 °F
Altimeter
29.81 inHg
Observed at
MBT

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.