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NTSB Report

December 27, 1996 · Cessna 402A · N337PL

Menominee, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Menominee, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 402A
Tail Number
N337PL
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA048

After conducting three (VFR) approaches to one runway the pilot landed on another runway. During the landing roll the airplane swerved to the left and exited the runway. The pilot said that the brakes had frozen over during the previous approaches, and when the airplane touched down the right brake broke loose and the airplane turned left. He said that he should have made a decision to fly to another airport prior to the last landing attempt.

NTSB Probable Cause

ice restricting normal brake system, normal braking not possible for the pilot and the pilot's poor in-flight planning. A factor was the pilot not performing a flight to an alternate destination airport.

Full Narrative

On December 27, 1996, at 1140 eastern standard time, a Cessna 402A, N337PL, operated by Freight Runners Express, Inc., of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a 14 CFR Part 135, on demand cargo, sustained substantial damage when it exited runway 32 (5,100' x 100' snow covered asphalt) at Menominee, Michigan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Green Bay, Wisconsin, about 1100 on an IFR flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot said that after making three attempts to land on runway 3 he elected to land on runway 32. He said that the landing was in the center of the runway, but on landing the airplane rotated to the left and exited the runway. He said that he felt the brakes had frozen on the previous landing attempts and that on rollout the right brake freed up; however, the left brake continued to be frozen. He feels that this frozen brake caused the airplane to spin around and exit the runway. He said there was a layer of ice on the windshield except where the alcohol de-ice system removed the ice. He said that he could see the runway on each approach, but had difficulty assessing his altitude above the runway. He indicated during an interview that he should have returned to Green Bay instead of continuing to attempt to land at Menominee. A witness to the accident stated that after the accident he observed ice on the airframe including the "windows." Subsequent to the accident an examination of the airplane failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies with the brakes. The right main landing gear folded inboard.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:40 CST
Nearest AirportMenominee-Marinette Cnty (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 402A
Tail NumberN337PL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 1 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data