NTSB Factual Report

On September 13, 2014, about 1340 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N5132C, nosed over following a landing overrun at the Montgomery County Airpark (GAI), Gaithersburg, Maryland. The commercial pilot and 2 other crew members were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to the pilot and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as a public-use flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time which operated on an instrument flight rules clearance. The flight originated about 1130 EDT from the Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey, and was destined for GAI.

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to observe boat traffic on several water ways. After takeoff from GAI they flew for about 2.5 hours and then proceeded to MIV and landed uneventfully. The flight departed VFR and flew over Delaware Bay, Chesapeake and Delaware Canals, Chesapeake Bay, and the North part of Chesapeake Bay before proceeding to GAI. While inbound to GAI he obtained Baltimore weather from the XM satellite, and when the flight was 5 miles from GAI, he noted cloud cover. While talking with Potomac Approach Control, he requested IFR clearance, and climbed to either 3,500 or 3,000 feet. While flying in IMC conditions he was vectored towards Frederick, and was cleared for and vectored to intercept the final approach course for the RNAV (GPS) approach. At TIMBE (Final Approach Fix), he extended the landing gear and lowered the flaps to 10 degrees, and continued the approach breaking out at 500 feet. He noticed the flight was 50 to 100 yards left of the runway, and with the runway in sight, he turned to the right in a "gentle" 270 degree turn, maintaining 80 knots. After the completion of the turn he aligned himself with the runway, and lowered the flaps to 40 degrees, maintaining 79 knots. He touched down about 1/2 way down the runway, and after touchdown he kept the flaps at that position and applied the airplane's brakes but they were not effective. The airplane travelled off the end of the runway onto grass and contacted a mound causing the airplane to nose over. He reported there were no injuries and all exited the airplane.

The pilot later stated that after getting out of the airplane he noted a 5 to 8 knot tailwind component, and stated that about 10 minutes before starting the approach he was given the wind as 3 to 5 knots but did not recall the direction. He also stated there was standing water on the runway, and it had been previously raining. The pilot reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction.

The right front seat passenger who is not pilot rated but well acquainted with aviation reported that during the approach, the flight became clear of the clouds at 600 feet with a clear view of the runway, but was "significantly" left of the runway. The pilot executed a go-around and turned to return to runway 14 while maintaining visual contact with the runway, which appeared to be wet. During the descent there appeared to be "choppy wind conditions" with altitude deviations of 50 feet. He indicated the pilot struggled to bring the aircraft to the runway and reported the airplane landed about 1/2 way down the runway. He observed the pilot applying very strong effort on the brakes but the airplane did not appear to slow. The airplane went past the end of the runway at approximately 45 knots, and the nose landing gear collapsed after contacting rising terrain. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The rear seat passenger confirmed that when the flight descended below the clouds on the approach the airplane was left of the runway. He reported the pilot went around to the right and landed about 1/4 to 1/3 down the runway. He felt moderate force against his restraint associated with braking, and reported he was surprised by the nose-over.

Plotting of the radar data onto a GPS Runway 14 Approach Chart was performed by NTSB personnel. The plot indicated the pilot flew over BEGKA (the intermediate fix) and maintained the final approach course until approaching TIMBE, at which time the airplane flew slightly south of TIMBE. The radar data indicates the flight was not established on the final approach course from before TIMBE to the final radar return which was located southeast of JOXOX; "S" type turns were noted between TIMBE and after JOXOX, which is located 2.3 nautical miles from runway 14. The radar plot and radar data used for the radar plot are contained in the NTSB public docket.

A witness who was in an airplane near the approach end of runway 14 north of the runway waiting IFR release indicated a right quartering tailwind existed, and reported first observing the airplane when it was left of his position flying in a southerly direction. The witness noted the airplane banked to the right and flew over the runway turning to the north where he lost sight of it. He then noted the airplane flew over his position about 20 seconds later about 200 feet above ground level while in a southerly direction, and flew south of the runway then banked to the left correcting back. The witness estimated that from his vantage point the airplane touched down between 2/3rd's to 3/4 down the runway, followed by seeing the airplane's tail in the air. The witness called on the Potomac Approach control frequency believing it was the common traffic advisory frequency to alert of the accident. A statement from the witness is contained in the NTSB public docket.

According to the airport manager, the location where the airplane came to rest was approximately 725 feet past the departure end of the runway.

A surface observation weather report taken at GAI at 1335, or about 5 minutes before the accident indicates that the wind was from 290 degrees at 7 knots; no gusts were reported.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to execute a missed approach after recognizing that the airplane was not aligned with the wet runway, which resulted in a long landing with a tailwind and a subsequent runway overrun.