Spice Jet Boeing 737-800 Lands Short of Runway Threshold in Seychelles

Casualties unknown • SEYCHELLES, IN

A Spice Jet charter flight involving a Boeing 737-800 landed short of the runway threshold at Seychelles International Airport, prompting an AAIB India investigation.

What happened

On September 7, 2021, a Spice Jet charter flight, operating as SG-9909, arrived at Seychelles International Airport from Chennai. The aircraft, a B737-800 with registration VT-SZN, was conducting a visual approach to Runway 13. During the final stages of the landing, the aircraft touched down approximately 8 feet beyond the displaced threshold, effectively landing short of the intended runway surface. While the aircraft and its 137 passengers and 7 crew members escaped without injury, the event was classified as a serious incident.

The investigation

An investigation by the AAIB India examined flight data recorder (DFDR) information, CCTV footage, and aerodrome markings. The analysis revealed that the flight crew, who were unfamiliar with the Seychelles aerodrome, joined the base leg of the visual approach and established landing configuration. Digital flight data showed that the aircraft's rate of descent remained higher than required until approximately 150 feet above ground level.

Investigators also reviewed the airline's Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the specific runway markings at Seychelles. It was noted that the threshold markings at the airport followed an alternative pattern permitted by ICAO Annex 14, which differs from the standard markings typically encountered by the crew at Indian airports. Furthermore, the crew did not utilize the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) for guidance, as the PAPI for this runway is offset and should not be used when more than 2.6 nm from the runway.

Findings

  • The aircraft was fully airworthy and all systems were functioning correctly at the time of the incident.
  • The crew encountered light drizzle during the final approach, which likely hindered their visual assessment of the runway.
  • The crew's unfamiliarity with the aerodrome and the lack of specific hazard information in the airline's SOP contributed to the error.
  • The landing speed (VAPP) selected by the crew was lower than the recommended value based on the reported winds.
  • The crew failed to monitor the PAPI guidance to maintain the correct vertical profile during the approach.

Safety action

  • The operator is advised to conduct safety risk assessments to ensure that crews operating charter flights to unfamiliar locations have access to detailed information regarding local aerodrome hazards.
  • The airline should reinforce the importance of strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures among its pilots.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by the flight crew's lack of familiarity with the Seychelles aerodrome environment, an inadequate visual assessment of the runway, and a failure to use PAPI guidance to maintain the proper vertical approach profile.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2021-09-14 SPICE JET’S B737-800 accident near SEYCHELLES, IN?

A Spice Jet charter flight involving a Boeing 737-800 landed short of the runway threshold at Seychelles International Airport, prompting an AAIB India investigation.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2021-09-14 involved a SPICE JET’S B737-800, registration VT-SZN, at SEYCHELLES, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by the flight crew's lack of familiarity with the Seychelles aerodrome environment, an inadequate visual assessment of the runway, and a failure to use PAPI guidance to maintain the proper vertical approach profile.

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