NTSB Factual Report

On April 29, 2004 at 1343 eastern daylight time, a Beech D95A, N7908M, registered to and operated by Travelers Air LLC, rolled off the end of runway 02 after landing, and collided with the ground at Athens/Ben Epps Airport, Athens, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Kissimmee Municipal, Orlando, Florida on April 29, 2004 at 1145.

The pilot initially radioed Athens Tower 7 miles south of the airport and was instructed by the tower controller to report a right base for runway 09. The pilot reported two minutes later on a long right base for runway 09. The pilot was cleared to land runway 09 at that time. The pilot called the tower back one mile on final for runway 02, saying he was on final for runway 09. The Tower informed the pilot that he was on final for runway 02 and cleared to land. The pilot acknowledged the clearance for runway 02 and proceeded to land. The pilot applied brakes and the aircraft went severely to the right side of the runway; reporting there was no left brake. The airplane was centered again on the runway and the pilot re-applied the brakes. The airplane veered to the right again; reportedly still no left brake. The pilot could not stop the airplane. There was not enough runway left to take off, so the pilot decided to let the airplane exit off the end of the runway into the grass and roll to a stop. Upon entering the grass, the pilot saw a fence on the downward slope of a gully about 200 feet from the end of the runway. The pilot then decided to add power and lower the flaps to "fly" over the fence and gully. The airplane cleared the fence and gully. However, after landing on the opposite side, the nose gear collapsed coming to rest 500 feet beyond the end of runway 02.

The Beech D95A has a stall speed of 61 miles per hour and its landing ground roll is 1015 feet long. Runway 02 at Athens/Ben Epps Airport is 4000 feet long. The pilot had a tailwind of 6 knots at 180 degrees at the time of the accident. The pilot stated to the airport assistant manager that he landed fast and past the runway numbers.

The pilot did not report any mechanical problems prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed the nose gear collapsed and damage to the nose cone, right wing spar and the tail. The brake pads were worn. Both propellers and engines were damaged. An employee of the wreckage recovery company, who operated the brakes while towing the airplane, noticed, "the left brake did not perform as well as the right brake."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of airspeed and distance which resulted in an overshoot of the runway and collision with ground. The tailwind was a factor.