MU-2 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 3.8; Flight Crew Total 4246.7; Flight Crew Type 2587.7
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
General Evacuated
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
Approach issued clearance for GPS Approach straight in. Descending on GPS approach entered VMC at 3000 MSL approximately 5 miles from runway. Descending to land on runway and saw that the runway was snow covered (not plowed). Made low approach and go around; circle to land. Turned on airport runway lights for better visual reference. Made normal landing in approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inches of light snow. Rolled 150-200 yards straight ahead. Speed below 87 kts. put power levers into Beta. Upon going into Beta aircraft yawed to left 30-40 degrees. Right rudder applied but no response. Decision made not to attempt go around. Aircraft continued counterclockwise rotation and skidded off runway with aircraft nose heading approximately 140 degrees. Aircraft stopped 50-70 feet after leaving runway. Initiated emergency shutdown. Exited aircraft. At this point aircraft is awaiting mechanical inspection for any possible discrepancies. Aircraft had newly overhauled engines. Even though the pilot had made 4 takeoffs and landings in the 3 days prior to the incident ; I would seriously consider not landing on a snow covered runway unless in an emergency situation. Numerous landings on snow covered runways prior to this incident were considered normal and safe. This is not the case anymore; because of too many variables that can create an unsafe situation.
MU-2 pilot reported upon landing roll out on snow covered runway began losing directional control upon entering reverse thrust and despite counteracting rudder input went off the end of the runway.