Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to use all of the available runway during landing, and his resultant failure to attain a proper touchdown point for a safe rollout. Factors relating to the accident were: the wet runway with hydroplaning conditions, the uneven terrain (after the aircraft exited the runway), and the proximity of tree(s).
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was returning to land on runway 18 after a 1 hour local flight. His first approach was 'high', and during the approach, he observed a rain shower at the departure end, moving in a northerly direction. The pilot then elected to execute a go-around and set up for another approach. He extended 30 degrees of flaps on the second approach, which was also high, and the aircraft touched down about 1,100 feet down the 2,600 foot runway. The pilot applied brakes, but the aircraft 'hydroplaned' and skidded off the right side of the runway, past the departure end, and onto uneven grassy terrain. The left wing struck a tree and the aircraft came to rest in a drainage ditch. Witnesses reported that there was standing water on the runway when the aircraft landed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 22, 1997, at 1200 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N9492D, was destroyed following a loss of control while landing at Farm Services Airport, near Rio Hondo, Texas. Both occupants, an instrument rated private pilot and passenger, sustained minor injuries. The rental airplane was registered to a private individual and leased back to West Houston Airport (operator), Houston, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. In an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he was returning to land after a 1 hour local flight. He stated that his first approach was "high." Also, he observed a rain shower at the departure end of runway 18, moving in a northerly direction, so he elected to execute a go-around and set up for another approach. The pilot extended 30 degrees of flaps on the second approach, which was also high, and touched down about 1,100 feet down the 2,600 foot runway. After applying brakes the aircraft "hydroplaned" and skidded off the right side of the runway, past the departure end, and onto uneven grassy terrain. The left wing struck a tree and the aircraft came to rest in a drainage ditch. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the left wing sustained structural damage, and the fuselage was "split in two." The nose gear was found collapsed rearward rendering damage to the floor structure of the cabin and engine firewall. The FAA inspector also reported that the runway initially had a landing heading of 180 degrees, but from approximately midpoint, the runway surface turns to intercept a landing heading of 170 degrees. He further reported that there was standing water on the runway surface. -