Runway Overrun at BWI Following Unstabilized Approach

Casualties unknown • Jamaica, NY, US

An aircraft overran the runway at BWI after an unstabilized ILS approach characterized by excessive altitude, airspeed, and rate of descent.

What happened

During the approach to BWI, the Runway Visual Range (RVR) initially dropped below minimums, resulting in holding instructions being issued to the flightcrew. As the aircraft flew toward the holding fix, the RER increased, prompting an air traffic control specialist to offer an ILS approach. The controller cautioned that the aircraft might be too high for the approach, but the captain accepted the clearance and confirmed they could execute the approach from their current position.

The captain conducted the approach with excessive altitude, airspeed, and rate of descent, remaining above the glide slope throughout the maneuver. This flight profile violated company procedures, the instrument approach procedure, and Federal Aviation Regulations 91.175. Additionally, the aircraft's Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) issued four audible warnings during the descent. The first officer failed to perform required callouts, including a missed approach callout.

The aircraft touched down approximately 7,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway at 157 knots and subsequently overran the runway.

Findings

Interviews with the crew revealed that both pilots were experiencing fatigue due to a continuous overnight duty schedule. The previous day, both pilots had woken in the morning and remained awake throughout the day. They reported for duty at approximately 2200 for a flight scheduled for 2246. Following a delay, they arrived at BWI around 0100 and went to sleep at 0130. The crew awoke at 0445 for the accident flight, which was scheduled to depart at 0610.

Probable cause

The captain's failure to follow instrument approach procedures and federal regulations by maintaining excessive altitude, airspeed, and rate of descent, compounded by the first officer's failure to provide required callouts and the crew's fatigue.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-05-08 Saab-scania AB (saab) 340B accident near Jamaica, NY?

An aircraft overran the runway at BWI after an unstabilized ILS approach characterized by excessive altitude, airspeed, and rate of descent.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-05-08 involved a Saab-scania AB (saab) 340B, registration N232AE, operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc., at Jamaica, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The captain's failure to follow instrument approach procedures and federal regulations by maintaining excessive altitude, airspeed, and rate of descent, compounded by the first officer's failure to provide required callouts and the crew's fatigue.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18850. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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