Runway Excursion at Kuching International Airport involving Super King Air

Casualties unknown • MY

A Hornbill Skyways Super King Air B200GT veered off the runway at Kuching International Airport during a heavy downpour, resulting in significant nose gear damage.

What happened

On the evening of 24 September 2017, a Super King Air B200GT, registration 9M-WSK, was completing a non-scheduled flight from Mukah Airfield to Kuching International Airport. The aircraft was carrying three crew members and four passengers.

During the final stages of the landing on runway 25, the aircraft encountered intense rainfall and a strong left crosswind. As the pilot began the flare at approximately 10 feet above the ground, the heavy rain significantly obscured forward visibility. Upon touchdown, the aircraft drifted toward the right edge of the runway. Although the pilot applied maximum left rudder to correct the path, the aircraft exited the paved surface and traveled roughly 6 and 600 meters across the soft ground parallel to the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed as the aircraft came to a halt. All seven occupants evacuated safely without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose gear assembly, the forward fuselage, and the propeller blades.

The investigation

The AAIB Malaysia investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the flight crew's decision-making, and the aircraft's mechanical state. Investigators analyzed the sequence of events, noting that while the approach began under visual meteorological conditions, the weather deteriorated rapidly. The investigation also reviewed the cockpit communications, the effectiveness of the windshield wipers, and the adequacy of the runway lighting and centerline markings at the time of the incident.

Probable cause

The primary cause was a sudden increase in rainfall intensity during the landing flare, which stripped the pilot of visual references to the runway centerline. This loss of situational awareness, combined with a strong left crosswind, prevented the pilot from detecting or correcting the lateral deviation before the aircraft departed the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the null aircraft accident near MY?

A Hornbill Skyways Super King Air B200GT veered off the runway at Kuching International Airport during a heavy downpour, resulting in significant nose gear damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, at MY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause was a sudden increase in rainfall intensity during the landing flare, which stripped the pilot of visual references to the runway centerline. This loss of situational awareness, combined with a strong left crosswind, prevented the pilot from detecting or correcting the lateral deviation before the…

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