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Accidents · NTSB CEN17LA078 · Final report

Textron Aviation INC 525C accident near Howell, Michigan, January 16, 2017

On January 16, 2017 at about 4:59 pm local time, a 2015 Textron Aviation INC 525C, registered N525PZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Howell, Michigan (Livingston Co. airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The pilot's attempted landing on the ice-covered runway, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was airport personnel's lack of training regarding issuance of NOTAMs

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
January 16, 2017 · about 4:59 pm local time
Place
Howell, Michigan · Livingston Co. · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Textron Aviation INC 525C, built 2015
Registration
N525PZ · registry record · serial 525C0196
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

After exiting the clouds during the landing approach at the uncontrolled airport, the private pilot of the small jet canceled his instrument flight plan with air traffic control. He stated that, although there was no precipitation when he exited the clouds, he suspected the runway may be icy due to the weather conditions. The pilot saw an airplane holding short on the taxiway at the end of the runway and assumed it was preparing to takeoff, which he stated led him to believe that the runway condition was good. Although the pilot announced his location and intentions on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), he did not inquire about the runway condition via CTAF/UNICOM. Witnesses reported that the approach looked normal. After touchdown, the pilot applied brakes and realized he had no braking action. He subsequently retracted the speed brakes, spoilers, and flaps, and added takeoff power. The airplane yawed to the left and the pilot reduced engine power to idle while applying rudder to correct the airplane's track. The airplane continued off the runway, where it traveled through a fence and across a road before coming to rest inverted.   The pilot and mechanic seated in the airplane that was holding short of the runway during the landing reported that they were only taxiing to a maintenance facility and did not intend to take off. They reported that the taxiways were icy. A witness who assisted the pilot following the accident reported that the roads at the time were covered in ice and "very slick." Recorded data from the airplane showed that the pilot flew a stabilized approach and that the airplane touched down near the approach end of the runway; however, given the icy runway conditions, the airplane's landing distance required exceeded the available runway by more than 8,000 ft. Airport personnel had not issued a NOTAM regarding the icy runway conditions. The airport manager stated he was not at the airport at the time of the accident, and that he was still trying to learn the new digital NOTAM manager system. The employee who was at the airport was authorized to issue NOTAMs, but had not yet been trained on the new system.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Other weather encounter during landing (landing roll)
  2. Runway excursion during landing (landing roll) defining event
  3. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
  • cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Capability exceeded
  • cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Snow/slush/ice covered surface › Ability to respond/compensate
  • factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Snow/slush/ice covered surface › Availability of related info
  • factor Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring › Training › (general) › Airport
  • factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of automation › Airport personnel
  • factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Airport personnel

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
  • Flight time: 5,800 hours in all; 320 in this make and model; 66.4 in the last 90 days; 23.8 in the last 30 days
  • Last flight review: April 10, 2016
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: serious injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 320 hours
  • Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, January 14, 2017
  • Maximum gross weight: 10,399 lb
  • Seats: 11
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine 1: Williams FJ44-4A (turbofan); 320 hours total
  • Engine 2: Williams FJ44-4A (turbofan); 320 hours total
  • Fire on the ground

The flight

  • Departed from: GVO Batavia NY at 3:57 pm
  • Destination: OZW Howell MI
  • Flight plan: IFR
  • Runway 13, 5,002 ft by 100 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 130° at 4 knots
  • Visibility: 3 statute miles
  • Sky: overcast at 5,500 ft
  • Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
  • Observation at 4:59 pm from KOZW

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

13 documents, released by the NTSB on January 17, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.