What happened
On July 14, 2016, a Dash 8-400 was conducting a flight from EPKK to EPGD. During the flight, weather conditions at the destination airport deteriorated significantly. Having anticipated this possibility through prior forecast analysis, the crew had carried extra fuel reserves. After holding for approximately thirty minutes, the crew initiated an approach to EPGD. However, based on the METAR reporting moderate to poor braking action and significant wind variability, the crew determined that continuing the approach was unsafe due to crosswind components and runway conditions.
The crew subsequently decided to divert to the alternate airport, EPBY. During the approach to the alternate, the aircraft experienced an unstable approach in terms of both lateral track and glidepath. Additionally, the flight exceeded permissible lateral load limits. The crew' and the operator later noted that the incident was not immediately reported, which the operator's safety department classified as a failure to fulfill professional duties.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight parameters and the crew's actions during the diversion. Technical services analyzed the recorded flight data and determined that no additional maintenance inspections were required for the aircraft. The investigation also reviewed the crew's explanations regarding the cockpit environment during the approach.
Findings
- The crew was managing high-workload, non-routine procedures, including holding and a diversion to an alternate airport.
- Severe turbulence was present during the approach to the alternate.
- The crew focused excessively on external visual observations, resulting in insufficient monitoring of cockpit instruments.
- The primary cause was an operational error by the crew during the landing approach.