What happened
On September 17, 2016, a SpiceJet Bombardier Q400, registration VT-SUE, was operating a scheduled domestic flight from Hyderabad to Tirupati. During the landing phase on runway 26, the aircraft experienced a runway overshoot. The flight, carrying 62 passengers and 5 crew members, encountered a wet runway surface and variable winds.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot attempted to correct a centerline misalignment by increasing power at approximately 108 feet. This maneuver caused the aircraft to float along the runway, leading to a significantly delayed touchdown. The main landing gear contacted the pavement at 3,640 feet, while the nose gear did not touch down until 5,482 feet. Despite the application of maximum propeller reverse thrust and manual braking, the aircraft traveled beyond the runway end, crossing the RESA and coming to a stop on the unpaved surface (kuccha) approximately 725 feet from the runway threshold. There were no injuries to any occupants, and no damage was sustained by the aircraft.
The investigation
The AAIB India investigation examined the flight data, cockpit voice recorder, and meteorological conditions. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, finding no reported technical snags prior to the incident. The investigation also looked into the crew's adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specifically regarding landing distance calculations and crosswind assessments.
Investigators noted that while the approach was stabilized, the crew did not perform a final assessment of the crosswind component to ensure it remained within safe limits. Furthermore, the investigation found that the required correction factor for calculating available landing distance on a wet runway, as specified in the airline's Aircraft Operations Manual (AOM), was not applied.