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A GA8 Airvan overran a runway and came to a stop in a ditch because the pilot did not initiate a go-around, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report has concluded.
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The incident saw the aircraft, operated by Wave Air and with a pilot and seven passengers on board, attempt to land at Whitsunday Airport at the conclusion of a scenic flight last November.
While the aircraft was substantially damaged, the pilot and passengers were uninjured.
“The aircraft’s approach was above profile with a high airspeed,” said the ATSB’s director of transport safety, Stuart Macleod. “Subsequently, the landing was beyond the planned touchdown point.”
The full ATSB report reveals how the GA8 Airvan aircraft, registered VH-IDM, passed over the displaced threshold of the runway at approximately 100 feet above ground level.
The pilot commenced the flare about 300m beyond the displaced threshold, at an airspeed of approximately 90kt. The aircraft then floated for about 640m before touching down at a groundspeed of 65kt with 370m of runway remaining
“While landing beyond the planned touchdown point, there was adequate landing distance remaining; however, the pilot did not apply sufficient braking to stop the aircraft departing the runway.”
The investigation determined the pilot had an incorrect understanding of the required approach speed. It also found that the pilot’s initial training was not fully completed, and that Wave Air’s training, supervision and checking flights did not identify the pilot’s approach speed was routinely excessive.
“For pilots, this accident should demonstrate the importance of accurate knowledge of your aircraft’s reference speeds and always being prepared to promptly execute a go‑around if an approach for landing does not proceed as expected,” Macleod said.
“In addition, routinely practicing go‑arounds will ensure the manoeuvre can be performed safely when needed.”
While not determined to have contributed to the accident, the investigation also found Wave Air’s weight and balance system used an incorrect figure to calculate the aircraft’s centre of gravity, and passengers were not weighed in accordance with the operator’s procedures.
Additionally, it was found the operator’s stabilised approach criteria included a decision height which was too low.
Since the accident, Wave Air has taken several safety actions, including updating its training and checking manual, appointing a new head of training and checking, updating pilot training, reviewing procedures and errors in the weight and balance system, and revising its stabilised approach criteria.
Aminta Hennessy
says:How about just approach at the correct approach speed for the weight. It helps!!