What happened
On September 11, 2019, a Cessna Citation 525A-CJ2+, registration VT-BRT, was conducting a non-scheduled medical flight from Mumbai to Nanded. While the flight was initially cleared for runway 28, the crew requested runway 10. Despite being informed by Air Traffic Control (ATC) that the approach lighting system for runway 10 was unserviceable, the crew proceeded with the landing.
Upon touchdown at 18:27 UTC, the aircraft began deviating to the left. The crew attempted to correct the lateral movement, but the aircraft continued to veer off the paved surface. The aircraft traveled approximately 1,300 meters from the threshold before coming to a halt 26 meters from the runway edge. There were no injuries to the two crew members or the six passengers on board, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
AAIB India examined the flight circumstances, weather conditions, and aircraft performance. The investigation established that the crew performed a visual approach under VFR conditions. During the descent, the crew identified a wind component that would result in a landing with a tailwind.
Investigators found that the aircraft landed on a contaminated runway during heavy rain. The investigation also noted that the runway center lights were unserviceable, and some edge lights were obscured by grass. The crew reported that the intensity of the runway edge lights had been increased at their request, but the combination of heavy rain and the light patterns created an illusion effect that made it difficult to maintain the centerline.
Findings
- The aircraft landed with a tailwind of approximately 10 knots, which reached the maximum limit specified in the operator's manual.
- The runway surface was contaminated due to heavy rain.
- The crew experienced a visual illusion effect caused by the interaction of runway edge lights and rain on the windshield, preventing them from identifying the runway centerline.
- The nose landing gear sheared off and the left main landing gear tire deflated after striking a runway edge light, leading to a total loss of directional control.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the fuselage, landing gear, engines, and wings, rendering it beyond economical repair.