Narrative:
A Beechcraft 1900D, N854CA, operating US Airways Express flight 4479, was substantially damaged while landing at the Saranac Lake-Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK), New York. There were no injuries.
The airplane touched down on runway 23 following an ILS approach with the wing flaps at approach. About 2 seconds after touchdown, the heading changed about 1.5 degrees nose right, and then returned to the touchdown heading over the next several seconds. About 9 seconds after touchdown, the heading changed about 4 degrees right followed by a change to the left of 38 degrees over 6 seconds. The airplane skid to the left and came to a stop perpendicular to the runway.
A Notice To Airman (NOTAM) stated that the runway at the Adirondack Regional Airport was plowed full length and width. The runway description stated, "patches of ice covered with 1/4 inch of snow, braking action poor."
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The inadequate snow removal from the runway by airport personnel which left a snow bank extending onto the runway."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 20 January 1998 |
| Time: | 20:30 |
| Type: |  Beechcraft 1900D |
| Operated by: | Commutair |
| On behalf of: | US Airways Express |
| Registration: | N854CA |
| MSN: | UE-60 |
| First flight: | 1993 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 9433 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 12 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Saranac Lake-Adirondack Airport, NY (SLK) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Albany Airport, NY (ALB/KALB), United States of America |
| Saranac Lake-Adirondack Airport, NY (SLK/KSLK), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 4479 |
A Beechcraft 1900D, N854CA, operating US Airways Express flight 4479, was substantially damaged while landing at the Saranac Lake-Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK), New York. There were no injuries.
The airplane touched down on runway 23 following an ILS approach with the wing flaps at approach. About 2 seconds after touchdown, the heading changed about 1.5 degrees nose right, and then returned to the touchdown heading over the next several seconds. About 9 seconds after touchdown, the heading changed about 4 degrees right followed by a change to the left of 38 degrees over 6 seconds. The airplane skid to the left and came to a stop perpendicular to the runway.
A Notice To Airman (NOTAM) stated that the runway at the Adirondack Regional Airport was plowed full length and width. The runway description stated, "patches of ice covered with 1/4 inch of snow, braking action poor."
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The inadequate snow removal from the runway by airport personnel which left a snow bank extending onto the runway."
Accident investigation:
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Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Albany Airport, NY to Saranac Lake-Adirondack Airport, NY as the crow flies is 184 km (115 miles).
Distance from Albany Airport, NY to Saranac Lake-Adirondack Airport, NY as the crow flies is 184 km (115 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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