Runway 17 Overshoot and Wing Strike During Approach

Casualties unknown • Houston, TX, US

A transport category twin-jet aircraft experienced a right wing ground strike while performing a side-step maneuver to runway 17 during its approach.

What happened

A transport category twin-jet airplane was conducting the first leg of a 215-nautical mile cross-country flight. The crew was initially advised to expect a visual approach to runway 12R and reported that they were on a stabilized visual approach for that runway.

During the approach, Air Traffic Control (ATC) inquired about the crew's intended parking location. The flight crew indicated they intended to park at Millionaire, a fixed-base operator. ATC then offered the option to land on runway 17, which is adjacent to the intended FBO. The flight crew accepted this alternative, and the tower cleared the aircraft for landing on runway 17.

The pilot-in-command elected to perform a side-step maneuver to runway 17, initiating a right descending turn. The aircraft landed approximately 2,000 feet down the 6,000-foot by 150-foot wide runway. During this process, the airplane overshot the final approach course. The pilot-in-command attempted to correct the deviation with a sudden right turn to align the aircraft before touchdown.

During this corrective maneuver, the right wing dragged the ground. Following the landing, 8 passengers exited the aircraft, and ground personnel subsequently notified the crew that the right wing had sustained damage consistent with a ground strike during the approach and landing phase.

The investigation

Ground personnel inspected the aircraft after the passengers had disembarked and identified damage to the right wing. This damage was determined to be consistent with a ground strike occurring during the final stages of the approach or landing.

Probable cause

The pilot's sudden corrective turn to realign the aircraft with the runway centerline caused the right wing to strike the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-10-19 Hawker Siddeley 125-700 accident near Houston, TX?

A transport category twin-jet aircraft experienced a right wing ground strike while performing a side-step maneuver to runway 17 during its approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-10-19 involved a Hawker Siddeley 125-700, registration N564BR, operated by Kaleidoscope Charter Services Corp., at Houston, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's sudden corrective turn to realign the aircraft with the runway centerline caused the right wing to strike the ground.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051130X01907. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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