Final Report: Downsloped wet runway factor in overrun

Dassault Falcon 900C, Rifle, Colo., March 23, 2007–The NTSB attributed the runway overrun to the ATP-rated pilot’s decision to land with excessive airspeed during the approach and failure to obtain the proper touchdown point. Contributing factors were the pilot’s failure to execute a missed approach, his failure to use available reverse thrust in a timely manner and the wet, ungrooved and downsloped runway.

The XOJet aircraft came to rest 268 feet beyond the end of the runway, seriously damaged. There were no injuries to the three occupants.

Since 2001, according to the airport manager at Garfield County Regional Airport, 12 business jets have overrun Runway 26. All but one occurred in “wet” runway conditions. The airport/facilities directory notes, “Runway 08/26 slick when wet…recommend landing uphill on runway 08 when able.”

Runway 8/26 was grooved last summer after the Falcon accident, and the airport was expected to begin a runway improvement plan this year, with completion scheduled for 2012.