Too Much Speed, Too Little Runway

Remember the Cessna Citation that ran off the end of the Bader Field's runway and into the bay two weeks ago? The NTSB preliminary report says that the brakes and emergency brakes were working during the incident on Sunday, May 15th, 2005.

As reported on ANN, Erik Larsen, the pilot of the jet, told investigators that his brakes had failed after landing. Luckily, he and the other three people on board only suffered minor injuries from their trip into the bay.

Jet traffic has been banned from Bader Field for years, and is published in the Airport/Facility Directory. A few politicians are using this accident to threaten the future of the airport.

NTSB Report:

NTSB Identification: NYC05LA085
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, May 15, 2005 in Atlantic City, NJ
Aircraft: Cessna 525A, registration: OY-JET
Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 15, 2005, at 1548 eastern daylight time, a Danish-registered (OY-JET), Cessna Citation 525A, was substantially damaged when it impacted water during landing at Atlantic City Municipal Airport/Bader Field (AIY), Atlantic City, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries, and three passengers received no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Burlington International Airport (BTV), Burlington, Vermont. The business flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, that he performed "one circle" around the airport, observed the windsock, and then performed a landing on runway 11, a 2,948 foot-long, 100 foot-wide, asphalt runway. During the landing roll, approximately 2/3 down the runway, the pilot "lost the brakes," and was unable to stop on the remaining runway. The airplane then continued off the departure end of the runway and impacted the water.

A witness reported that he observed the airplane make a "low pass down runway 29" and then return to land on runway 11. The witness stated the airplane touched down about half way down the runway, and then slowed as it impacted the water.

The airplane was examined by an FAA inspector after the accident. According to the inspector, the brake system and emergency brake system were functionally checked, and no abnormalities were noted. The anti-skid system could not be tested, due to salt water damage. Examination of the emergency brake system revealed it had not been used, and the nitrogen bottle gauge indicated 1,800 psi. The flap selector was in the "ground" position, but the indicator was in the 15 degree position. The left throttle lever was observed in idle cut off, and the right throttle lever was bent to the right at the idle stop.

Additionally, examination of the runway revealed tread marks beginning approximately two-thirds down the runway, and continuing off the departure end into the grass and dirt.

The winds reported at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), 9 miles to the northwest, at 1554, were from 280 degrees at 9 knots.

A review of the FAA Airport/Facility Directory for the Northeast U.S., revealed the following notation listed in the Airport Remarks section of the Atlantic City/Bader Field Airport entry, "Arpt CLOSED to jet traffic."

According to the Cessna 525A Landing Distance Chart, an airplane with a landing weight of 11,000 pounds required 2,930 feet of landing distance, in a no wind situation. With a 10 knot tailwind, the airplane required 3,500 feet of landing distance.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov