History of Flight
On 2 December 2006, Aero Lanka flight RNL 106, a British Aerospace HS 748 series 2B registered 4R-SER, was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Palaly-Jaffna (KKS) to Colombo Airport Ratmalana. The aircraft made a visual approach to runway 22 at dusk under good weather conditions. The reported surface wind was 030° at 10 knots, gusting occasionally to 15 knots at the time of landing. The crew completed the landing checklist and discussed the approach.
The aerodrome controller observed the aircraft touching down almost two-thirds of the way down the runway, passing the control tower. The aircraft overran the 04 end of the runway. During deceleration on the runway, the starboard inner tyre (wheel #3) deflated. The aircraft came to rest on the soft grass of the overrun area to the left of the runway 22 centreline, heading southerly. The engines were shut down normally. There was no apparent damage other than the deflated tyre.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries occurred to passengers or crew. Passengers disembarked via the aircraft's aft air stairs. The starboard inner tyre deflated; extensive inspections were requested from the manufacturer to trace any other damage.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a BAe HS 748 series 2B, serial number 1799, manufactured in 1984. It had 16,371 total airframe hours and 22,455 cycles. It was powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart 536-2 turboprop engines and two Dowty Rotol R251-4-30-4 propellers. The certificate of airworthiness was valid until 16 December 2006.
The pilot-in-command was Captain Unang Hassan, aged 62, holding a Foreign Licence Validation Certificate issued by DGCA Sri Lanka, with 11,000 total hours (3,200 on type). The first officer was S.B.S. Morais, aged 38, holding a valid CPL, with 3,856 total hours (619 hours 19 minutes on type).
Aerodrome and Meteorological Conditions
Ratmalana Airport is equipped with a Non Directional Beacon (NDB) and has a published NDB approach for runway 22. The aerodrome meets basic requirements for HS 748 operations but is not equipped with approach lights or visual approach slope indicators. The wind was reported as 030°/10 knots, gusting to 15 knots.
Wreckage Information
Tyre markings from the landing gear were found on the runway. The first main landing gear marks were located 668 meters from the 04 end. The nose landing gear first mark was 170 meters beyond the main gear marks, 498 meters from the 04 end. The aircraft came to rest on the stopway, 213 meters beyond the 04 end. Tyre trails were visible along the runway from near the touchdown point. Deep markings were made on the soft soil of the stopway.
Flight Recorders and Medical Tests
The aircraft was fitted with a Fairchild A100 Cockpit Voice Recorder and a Plessey PV1584V Flight Data Recorder. The CVR was replayed; the FDR could not be replayed due to lack of calibration data. No injuries were reported. The pilot and co-pilot were sent for blood tests, but no further medical information was included in the report.