Incident Overview
On September 18, 2009, at 1412 Alaska daylight time, a Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA) C-212-CC, registration N349TA, operated by Bering Air Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 cargo flight, veered off runway 05 during landing at Savoonga Airport (SVA), Savoonga, Alaska. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot captain and certificated commercial pilot first officer were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a Defense Visual Flight Rules (DVFR) flight plan was in effect. The flight had departed Nome Airport (OME) at 1312.
Flight Crew Actions
During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the captain, who was the flying pilot, reported that prior to departure they checked weather and obtained pertinent Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). One NOTAM identified a partial runway closure with construction crews nearby. The flight lasted approximately one hour without problems; they noted gusty wind conditions, light rain, and an overcast cloud cover. Twenty miles from the destination, the flight crew notified the construction crew of their intent to land. On approach, they overflew the runway at 500 feet to verify the NOTAM and observed a graded, rough runway. The captain indicated they flew a teardrop approach, noting winds from the north. On final approach, he had to "crab" the airplane into the wind. During the landing roll, he attempted to maintain control with forward pressure on the nose and differential power while the first officer turned the ailerons into the wind. The airplane became difficult to control, began veering to the right, exited the runway, and came to rest in a ditch adjacent to the runway.
In the captain's written statement, he reported stabilizing on a 3-mile final with 100 percent flaps at an approach speed of 100 knots before touchdown. He calculated the crosswind component as 16 knots gusting to 23 knots, with wind from the left. In the recommendation section of NTSB form 6120.1, he suggested a lower crosswind limit for narrow runways—specifically, for runways less than 100 feet in width, the crosswind should be limited to 75 percent of the maximum demonstrated crosswind component.
Weather and Runway Conditions
Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) weather recorded at Savoonga at 1456 reported wind from 010 degrees at 26 knots gusting to 34 knots; visibility 5 statute miles; overcast sky at 800 feet; temperature 04°C; dew point 02°C; altimeter 29.70 inHg. The Airport/Facility Directory indicated the runway at Savoonga is 4,400 feet long by 100 feet wide. The airport is unattended and runway conditions are not monitored. The runway consists of gravel with rocks up to 5 inches on the sides of the landing surface. Several NOTAMs were in effect, including one stating that the north half of runway 5/23 was closed.
Aircraft Damage
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the site reported that the right main landing gear tire was depleted of air; it was a serviceable tire but near its wear limit. The inspector further reported that the right wing sustained structural damage. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the remaining aircraft systems.
Operational Manual Guidance
According to the airplane’s Operations Manual, under "Crosswind Speed Limits," a critical crosswind component has not been determined. However, the maximum crosswind component demonstrated during takeoffs and landings is 20 knots. Additionally, a subheading titled "Slippery Runways" in the Crosswind Landing section recommends operators adjust the crosswind limit, reducing it by 25 to 75 percent depending on slippery conditions. The manual also recommends using 15 degrees of flaps for a normal approach and landing, suggesting that full flaps not be deployed in strong crosswinds due to controllability in the flare.