Diamond DA42 N705JP accident near Mandan, North Dakota

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to perform a go-around following an unstable approach while landing with a tailwind, which resulted in the airplane touching down long on the runway with insufficient distance to stop. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s selected flap setting which increased the airplane’s landing roll.

NTSB analysis

The pilot estimated that he touched down about 100 ft past the numbers while landing. He attempted to decelerate, keeping constant pressure on the brakes. The pilot stated that the brakes were not working until he approached the end of the runway, at which point the brakes “slowly got responsive.” The pilot reported that a go-around was possible and that it was a “shock” that he couldn’t stop the airplane. He reported that the approach and landing was made with the flaps set to “APP.”

The airplane exited the paved surface of the runway and impacted a runway end identifier light, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

A postaccident examination of the brake system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and a postaccident runway inspection by the airport manager revealed visible tire skid marks leading off the end of the runway.

An aircraft performance study using ADS-B and engine control unit (ECU) data concluded that the airplane touched down at 92 kts calibrated airspeed (KCAS), 6 kts faster than the 86-kt VREF speed calculated from the airplane flight manual. The airplane’s weight on wheels sensors indicated that the airplane was not fully on the ground until 2,136 ft past the runway threshold. The airplane landed in a 6.3 kt tailwind that would have increased landing distance by 21%. Considering all factors, the study concluded that insufficient runway remained after the touchdown for the airplane to stop. Additionally, the study concluded that had the pilot used the LDG flap setting, there would have been sufficient runway remaining.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA357 for the full record.