Cessna 525 accident near Richmond, Virginia, June 30, 2024
On June 30, 2024 at about 9:52 pm local time, a 2006 Cessna 525, registered N865HC, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Richmond, Virginia (Richmond Intl airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in rain and gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 2024 · about 9:52 pm local time
- Place
- Richmond, Virginia · Richmond Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 525 UNDESIGNAT, built 2006 · all 525s on the register
- Registration
- N865HC · no longer on the register · serial 525-0616
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was landing the small business jet, and about 1 minute prior to landing an aviation surface weather report indicated that a quartering left headwind at 20 kts with gusts to 26 kts prevailed. The pilot continued the approach and while in visual flight rules conditions and noted rain over the runway about 1,000 ft from the threshold. The pilot landed the airplane on the grooved asphalt runway and observed that there was no standing water. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered heavy rain and the pilot stated that it began “hydroplaning” toward the right side of the runway. The right wing of the airplane then impacted 3 edge lights and one location sign before the pilot was able to regain control and then taxi off the runway and to the ramp. The airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot stated that there preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that there was no evidence of tread rubber reversion on either main landing gear tire that would be associated with hydroplaning during landing.
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
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Rain › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 9,154 hours in all; 2,252 in this make and model; 58 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 8,259 as pilot in command; 1,639 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 18, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,550 hours in all; 10 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,479 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, June 28, 2024; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,800 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Williams FJ44-1AP (turbofan); 4,479 hours total
- Engine 2: Williams FJ44-1AP (turbofan); 4,479 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TYS Knoxville TN at 8:40 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 20, 6,607 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 23 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 0.5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,900 ft; a few clouds at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from KRIC
Weather report (METAR): KRIC 302154Z 17023G30KT 1/2SM R34/1400VP6000FT +TSRA FG FEW018 BKN039CB OVC049 26/24 A2992 RMK AO2 PK WND 17030/2153 SLP133 OCNL LTGICCC TS S MOV NE T02560239 PNO $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on December 19, 2024. 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Initial Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of NTSB Conversations | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Chronological Summary of Flight Communications | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Memorandum for Record - Main Landing Gear Tire and Secondary Trim Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
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.