Incident Overview
On 27 October 2016, a Cessna Citation 550 SII aircraft, registration VT-KMB, operated by M/s A R Airways (P) Ltd., was involved in a serious incident during landing at Banswara Airport, Rajasthan. The aircraft was conducting a non-scheduled passenger flight from Mumbai to Banswara. The flight crew consisted of a Pilot-in-Command holding an ATPL and a First Officer holding a CPL, both current on type. There were seven passengers on board.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed Mumbai at 0635 UTC and landed on runway 28 at Banswara at 0745 UTC. Immediately after touchdown, the left main wheel tyre burst. The left wheel hub then scraped along the runway surface. The crew deployed thrust reversers and speed brakes, but the aircraft continued rolling for approximately 100 meters before beginning to veer left. Despite the application of right rudder in an attempt to return to the centerline, the aircraft continued deviating leftward. After traveling about 200 meters, it turned slightly right for 150 meters, then again veered left and exited the runway at a point 600 meters from the threshold. The aircraft traveled approximately 50 meters on unpaved ground before coming to a halt 20 meters from the runway edge.
Injuries and Damage
All two crew members and seven passengers were uninjured and deplaned normally with assistance from emergency services. There was no fire. The aircraft sustained damage to the left main wheel hub due to scraping, and the inner trailing edge of the left flap was found chipped. A hard landing inspection conducted by the operator revealed no other abnormalities.
Aircraft and Operational Context
The Cessna Citation 550 SII is a twin-engine business jet certified for transport category operations. At the time of the incident, the aircraft's takeoff weight was 6,847 kg, and the calculated landing weight was 6,303 kg. The flight crew had adequate rest and were current in all required training. The enroute flight was uneventful until the landing.
Investigation
The incident was classified as a serious incident under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2012. A Committee of Inquiry was appointed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The investigation focused on the serviceability of the aircraft, analysis of flight data and cockpit voice recorders, weather conditions, flight planning, and notification procedures. The probable cause of the incident was not specified in the available report.