Cessna 525A CitationJet, Dexter, Maine, Oct. 7, 2002–Citation N57EJ was substantially damaged during a runway overrun at Dexter Regional Airport (1B0). The ATP pilot and one passenger received serious injuries, and two passengers received minor injuries. Last month the NTSB released the probable cause of the accident–the pilot’s improper decision to land with excessive speed and his delayed decision to perform an aborted landing, which resulted in the runway overrun. A factor was the tailwind of about seven knots.
The jet touched down 642 feet past the approach end of the runway. Vref was calculated to be 108 knots; however, EGPWS data showed the groundspeed to be 137 knots nine seconds before touchdown and 130 knots at touchdown. After touchdown, the flaps were moved from 35 degrees to 60, the spoilers auto-deployed and the speed brakes were extended. The pilot did not think the airplane was slowing and decided to abort the landing. With approximately 1,500 feet remaining, he advanced the power levers to takeoff and raised the flaps two notches to takeoff position. The airplane continued down the runway but did not accelerate as expected. The pilot’s memory regarding the aborted landing and subsequent impact was fragmented. He remembered the airplane departing the far end of the runway, and then hitting the ground, but he could not recall the airspeed when he overran the runway.
