Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain crash, Mar 8, 2006 (1 killed)
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident on March 8, 2006 near Powell River, British Columbia, Canada with 1 fatality. Cause: A downwind approach...
- Date: March 8, 2006
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
- Location: Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
- Fatalities: 1
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: A downwind approach caused a long, fast landing, and hydroplaning on the wet runway prevented stopping. Insufficient runway remained to accelerate for a go-around when the abort was attempted. Terrain beyond the overrun area increased the severity of the injuries and damage. Canadian TSB report A06P0036.
An Orca Airways Piper Navajo repositioning to Powell River landed long and fast on a wet runway during gusty, shifting winds. It hydroplaned, and the late decision to abort left too little runway to get airborne again. The aircraft overran the runway into rough ground, killing the first officer and seriously injuring the captain.