4677' of wet runway + tailwind + IMC + PC-12 = Not Good

[Clark]

NTSB Identification: ERA09LA339
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 91 Subpart K: Fractional
Accident occurred Friday, June 12, 2009 in Bridgeport, CT
Aircraft: PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD PC-12/47, registration: N877AF
Injuries: 7 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 June 12, 2009 at 0756 eastern daylight time, a Pilatus PC-12/47
airplane, N877AF, was substantially damaged when it impacted a blast
fence during landing at Igor Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR),
Bridgeport, Connecticut. The two pilots and five passengers were not
injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an
instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight
that originated at Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood,
Massachusetts. The aircraft was fractionally owned by private
individuals who delegated the management of the airplane to Alpha
Flying, Inc. The fractional ownership flight was conducted under the
provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, Subpart K.

According to the pilots, they checked the weather prior to departure
from Norwood and determined they would not be able to fly to their
original destination of White Plains, New York. The captain discussed
the weather with the operator and they decided to amend their
destination to Bridgeport. The pilots reported that at the time of
their departure, the weather being reported at Bridgeport included an
overcast ceiling of 700 feet with 7 miles visibility and light rain.

When they arrived in the Bridgeport area, the pilots conducted the VOR
24 approach "to minimums." When they were not able to visually obtain
the runway environment at the missed approach point, they conducted a
missed approach. The pilots then received "vectors to final" for the
ILS 6 approach. The captain flew the approach with the autopilot
engaged, and as the airplane reached the decision height for the
approach (307 feet), the co-pilot visually obtained the runway lights
and the captain disconnected the autopilot and continued the descent.
As the airplane descend to an altitude of approximately 200 feet, the
pilots visually obtained the runway and the captain decreased the
power and called for "flaps 30."

Both pilots stated they knew they were "landing long;" however, they
had "plenty of runway" in front of them to safely touch down and stop
on the runway. The captain estimated the airplane touched down about
halfway down the 4,677-foot-long runway, and she immediately applied
"max reverse" thrust, and "more than average braking." The airplane
initially began to slow, and then "started hydroplaning" on the wet
runway. The pilots observed a fence at the end of the runway, and
decided they would not be able to perform a go-around. The airplane
continued to skid on the runway and impacted the fence before coming
to a stop.

The pilots completed an "emergency shut down," and assisted the
passengers in evacuating out the main cabin door.

Both pilots stated they did not perform any landing distance
calculations prior to or during the flight. They also reported no
mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine.

Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left
wing. Additionally, examination of the airplane and engine by a
Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no pre-impact
mechanical anomalies.

Weather reported at Bridgeport at 0752, included wind from 260 degrees
at 5 knots, 2 miles visibility with light rain and mist, overcast
clouds at 300 feet, temperature 17 degrees C, dew point 17 degrees C,
and altimeter setting of 29.70 inches mercury.