What happened
On May 7, 2016, a Jet Airways ATR 72-500, registration VT-JCX, was operating a scheduled flight from Delhi to Indore with 66 passengers and 4 crew members on board. During the landing phase at Indore Airport, the aircraft encountered moderate rain and crosswind conditions. After touchdown on Runway 25, the aircraft began to deviate from the centerline.
Despite efforts by the pilot to correct the heading using the rudder, the aircraft veered sharply to the left. The aircraft exited the paved runway surface, traveling approximately 180 meters across unpaved terrain and crossing taxiway F. The aircraft eventually came to a halt 78 meters from the runway centerline near an isolation bay. While the aircraft sustained significant structural damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and engine components, there were no injuries to the passengers or crew.
The investigation
AAIB India examined the flight data recorder (DFDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) to reconstruct the landing sequence. The investigation focused on the pilot's control inputs, the effectiveness of the aircraft's steering systems, and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. Investigators also reviewed the maintenance history of the aircraft and the operational procedures of the airline regarding crosswind landings and emergency maneuvers.
Findings
- The crew utilized a crab approach to manage the crosswinds but failed to provide sufficient aileron input after touchdown to maintain directional stability.
- As the aircraft's speed decreased, the effectiveness of the rudder diminished, making it difficult to counteract the wind-cock effect.
- The pilot did not utilize the nose wheel steering to correct the deviation.
- The crew did not employ differential braking, as such a technique was not part of the airline's established training or procedures.
- The improper crosswind landing technique and the failure to use available steering or braking methods led to the excursion.
- The condition of the runway was noted as a contributing factor to the incident.