What happened
On June 8, 2014, at 23:17 UTC, an Airbus A330-200, registration CS-TOJ, operated by TAP Portugal, was involved in a runway excursion at Belém International Airport (SBBE) in Brazil. The aircraft was taxiing on Runway 06 when the crew attempted to perform a 180-degree turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft left the paved surface of the runway.
Following the excursion, the crew determined that an evacuation was necessary. The aircraft became immobilized, and the passengers and crew were evacuated from the aircraft. There were no fatalities or injuries reported during the incident.
The investigation
The GPIAA investigation focused on the operational phase of the taxiing maneuver and the physical characteristics of the airfield. The investigators examined the aircraft' and the airport's infrastructure, specifically looking at the lack of a turn pad on Runway 06. The investigation also reviewed the crew's decision-making process, the communication with Air Traffic Control, and the visibility conditions from the cockpit during the turn. Furthermore, the investigators evaluated the airport's identified hazards and the effectiveness of existing safety procedures regarding ground maneuvers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the execution of a 180-degree turn on a runway that lacked a dedicated turn pad.
- The physical characteristics of Runway 06 did not provide sufficient pavement area to accommodate the turning radius of the Airbus A330-200 during the maneuver.
- The maneuver was performed in a manner that exceeded the limits of the available paved surface, leading to the aircraft leaving the runway.
- The investigation noted that the airport's infrastructure presented known hazards regarding ground operations and maneuvering.