What happened
On October 5, 2016, at 15:57 UTC, a Bombardier DHC-8-400 operated by PLL LOT was performing a landing on runway 11 VOR DME at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPGD). During the landing sequence, the aircraft encountered a sudden wind gust amidst difficult meteorological conditions characterized by rain and crosswinds. The pilot responded to the gust by increasing engine power, but with a slight delay. This caused the aircraft to begin "sinking," necessitating an increase in pitch angle to compensate.
As the aircraft touched down, it experienced a hard landing with an acceleration of 2.4G. This impact was accompanied by the rear fuselage skid making contact with the runway surface, triggering a "TOUCHED RUNWAY" alert on the Crew Working Panel (CWP). Following the evacuation of passengers, the commander inspected the aircraft and identified a cracked sensor cover on the tail section.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the operator, focused on the sequence of events leading to the impact and the subsequent damage. An inspection by airport maintenance personnel determined that the aircraft was not airworthy for its return flight and required a special inspection. The investigation also examined the pilot's workload, noting that the commander was managing additional responsibilities related to assisting an ill passenger on board during the landing phase.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was difficult meteorological conditions during the landing phase.
- A sudden wind gust contributed to the aircraft's descent rate and subsequent hard impact.
- The aircraft's mass was approximately equal to its maximum landing weight.
- The pilot's attention was divided due to the necessity of managing a medical situation involving a passenger on board.