What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2021-10-24 involved a SPICEJET DHC-8-402, registration VT-SQC, at BELAGAVI AIRPORT (VOBM), IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by the flight crew's expectation bias and distraction, which led them to fly an approach for the wrong runway, compounded by the ATC's failure to instruct a go-around when the error became apparent.

SpiceJet Flight Lands on Unassigned Runway at Belagavi

A SpiceJet Dash 8-402 aircraft landed on the incorrect runway at Belagavi Airport after the flight crew failed to follow updated ATC instructions.

What happened

On October 24, 2021, a SpiceJet DHC-8-402, registration VT-SQC, was operating a scheduled flight from Hyderabad to Belagavi. During the arrival phase, the flight crew initially contacted Belagavi Tower, where they were informed that runway 08 was in use and to expect a VOR approach for that runway. However, the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) subsequently cleared the aircraft for a VOR approach to runway 26.

Despite the change in clearance, the flight crew proceeded with an approach for runway 08 and landed on the unassigned runway. The aircraft, carrying 30 passengers and 4 crew members, sustained no damage, and there were no injuries. The error was not brought to the crew's attention by ATC until the aircraft had already parked at its stand.

The investigation

The AAIB India investigation examined the communications between the flight crew and Belagavi ATC, as well as the operational procedures of both the airline and the airport authority. Investigators reviewed the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and analyzed the flight crew's adherence to standard operating procedures. The inquiry also looked into the ATC's monitoring of the approach and the notification process following the incident.

Findings

The flight crew was distracted by non-essential conversation during the flight, which contributed to the error.
The crew experienced expectation bias, leading them to continue the approach for runway 08 despite the clearance for runway 26.
The Pilot Monitoring (PM) did not use standard ICAO phraseology during radio communications.
The Pilot Flying (PF) failed to cross-check the Flight Management System (FMS) programming against the actual ATC clearance.
The ATC officer observed the aircraft on the incorrect final approach at approximately 300-400 feet altitude but did not instruct the crew to perform a go-around.
The ATC failed to notify the crew of the runway change during the initial approach phase and did not alert them to the landing error via radio until after parking.
The airline's training guide (QLTG) was found to be an unapproved document and lacked certain necessary procedural instructions.

Safety action

The investigation recommended that SpiceJet enforce strict adherence to the "Sterile Cockpit" rule and ICAO phraseology.
It was suggested that the airline review its SOPs to ensure pilots cross-check FMS data against ATC clearances.
For the Airports Authority of India, the report recommended that controllers must instruct aircraft to go-around if they observe an approach to an unauthorized runway and must notify crews of runway changes promptly.