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C208 pilot reported a runway excursion after hydroplaning during landing rollout on a wet runway.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1529217 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201803 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Caravan Undifferentiated |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Landing |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | VFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 800 Flight Crew Type 30 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control Ground Excursion Runway Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence |
Narrative:
I landed at ZZZ and went 200 feet into the open field which is beyond the touch down zone end of the runway and into the drop zone. A heavy storm and rain shower had immediately just passed. I made a normal approach which usually gives plenty of stopping distance instead of a longer approach for a wet runway. After touching down I applied brakes and immediately started to hydroplane causing the plane to fishtail. I released the brakes to let the plane roll and put the aircraft into reverse. I decided to not go around as the fishtail had caused me to become off center line and I feared adding power would increase the hydroplaning. Having just flown into the area from [a nearby] airport; I spoke with company on the radio and told them I was coming to park because of the bad weather so I knew there were no skydivers [on] the field. I knew the other skydive companies were parked and no one was jumping. Having to do a low approach due to rain showers; I also saw that there was no one on or near the open field which is the drop zone. After the hydroplane and putting the aircraft into reverse; I knew the field was open so I let the aircraft roll and went into the field about 200 feet where I was able to apply the brakes and stop. I turned around and parked the aircraft. I was the only person in the aircraft and no damage was done. The heavy rain and me not allowing for additional stopping distance by landing where I usually do were contributing factors. I believe that because I had flown through heavy rain that had made it very difficult to see for roughly 30 seconds on the downwind leg of approach; that I was more concerned with getting on the ground than thinking about making a longer approach to compensate for the extremely wet conditions. I did not initiate a go around because of the hydroplaning right after landing and being off center line and knowing I still had plenty of distance to stop with the open field. I understand my decision and lack of forethought and judgment could have proved not safe in another scenario. I will be reflecting on this mistake and make sure I always provide myself with extra runway and make an appropriate approach anytime the weather is bad and wet.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: C208 pilot reported a runway excursion after hydroplaning during landing rollout on a wet runway.
Narrative: I landed at ZZZ and went 200 feet into the open field which is beyond the touch down zone end of the runway and into the drop zone. A heavy storm and rain shower had immediately just passed. I made a normal approach which usually gives plenty of stopping distance instead of a longer approach for a wet runway. After touching down I applied brakes and immediately started to hydroplane causing the plane to fishtail. I released the brakes to let the plane roll and put the aircraft into reverse. I decided to not go around as the fishtail had caused me to become off center line and I feared adding power would increase the hydroplaning. Having just flown into the area from [a nearby] airport; I spoke with company on the radio and told them I was coming to park because of the bad weather so I knew there were no skydivers [on] the field. I knew the other Skydive companies were parked and no one was jumping. Having to do a low approach due to rain showers; I also saw that there was no one on or near the open field which is the drop zone. After the hydroplane and putting the aircraft into reverse; I knew the field was open so I let the aircraft roll and went into the field about 200 feet where I was able to apply the brakes and stop. I turned around and parked the aircraft. I was the only person in the aircraft and no damage was done. The heavy rain and me not allowing for additional stopping distance by landing where I usually do were contributing factors. I believe that because I had flown through heavy rain that had made it very difficult to see for roughly 30 seconds on the downwind leg of approach; that I was more concerned with getting on the ground than thinking about making a longer approach to compensate for the extremely wet conditions. I did not initiate a go around because of the hydroplaning right after landing and being off center line and knowing I still had plenty of distance to stop with the open field. I understand my decision and lack of forethought and judgment could have proved not safe in another scenario. I will be reflecting on this mistake and make sure I always provide myself with extra runway and make an appropriate approach anytime the weather is bad and wet.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.