Background
On 13 October 2008, SriLankan Airlines flight UL121, an Airbus A330-243 registered as 4R-ALC, was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, to Chennai International Airport, India. The flight crew consisted of Captain R.D.A. Perera (instructor pilot) and First Officer I.J.I. Wijetilleke (trainee). The First Officer was pilot flying under supervision.
Flight Sequence
The aircraft conducted an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 07 at Chennai. Weather conditions were deteriorating, with heavy rain and reduced visibility. The ATIS at 0215 UTC reported visibility of 3000 meters. At touchdown, visibility was reported as 2000 meters, and the aircraft's IRS indicated a wind of 1640/11 knots. The aircraft touched down at 0311 UTC.
The trainee First Officer observed that the aircraft touched down left of the runway centre line. He applied right rudder to correct, but the aircraft skidded left on the wet runway. The aircraft ran over twelve runway edge lights, damaging the left outboard tyres. The instructor pilot then took control and successfully brought the aircraft back to the centre line. After clearing the runway, the aircraft taxied to the parking stand.
Injuries and Damage
There were no injuries to crew or passengers. The aircraft sustained damage to four tyres on the left main landing gear assembly: numbers 1, 2, 5, and 6. Twelve runway edge lights were damaged. No other substantial damage was observed.
Personnel Information
The Pilot-in-Command, aged 39, held a valid Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) with approximately 9,800 total flying hours, including 2,000 hours on the A330/340. The First Officer, aged 43, also held an ATPL with 5,000 total hours, but only 14 hours on the A330 type. Both pilots had adequate rest prior to the flight.
Aircraft Information
The Airbus A330-243 (serial number 311) was manufactured in December 1999. It was powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 772 turbofan engines. The aircraft had accumulated 40,848 airframe hours and 12,435 cycles. Its Certificate of Airworthiness was valid until 9 December 2008.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather reports showed a SPECI at 0252 UTC with visibility 3000 meters, thunderstorm and rain. At 0340 UTC, visibility decreased to 2000 meters with thunderstorm and rain. The wind at touchdown was reported as 1640/11 knots.
Flight Recorders
The aircraft was equipped with a Cockpit Voice Recorder and a Flight Data Recorder. The FDR was sent to Airbus for analysis.
Report Analysis
The investigation noted that a significant change in wind direction occurred below 1000 feet. The trainee First Officer was unable to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing in heavy rain, and the instructor pilot's corrective action was delayed.
Probable Cause
The accident occurred due to inability of the trainee First Officer to control the aircraft properly for the crosswind landing and the heavy rain conditions that prevailed and the late corrective action by the Instructor Pilot.