What happened
On a flight from Toronto to Varadero, Cuba, a Skysered Airlines Inc. Airbus A320-232, registration C-FRAA, experienced a runway excursion during landing at Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport. The approach was conducted in heavy rain and darkness. As the aircraft neared the decision height, the autopilot was disconnected, and the aircraft began to drift and descend below the glideslope. The pilot attempted to correct the flight path, but the aircraft crossed the threshold in a right bank.
During the landing flare, intense precipitation caused the crew to lose most visual references. Given the aircraft's low-energy state, the captain elected to continue the landing rather than attempt a high-risk go-around. The aircraft touched down left of the centerline on a runway surface covered in standing water. The momentum of the touchdown, combined with the aircraft's established right turn and a lack of tire cornering force due to hydroplaning, caused the plane to drift right, exiting the runway. The aircraft traveled approximately 1745 feet parallel to the runway before the crew regained control and re-entered the pavement. There were no injuries among the 179 passengers and 7 crew members, though the aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight data recorder, tire analysis, and weather conditions at the time of the event. The investigation looked into the communication between the crew and the air traffic controller, as well as the information provided to the crew regarding visibility and the recent go-around of a preceding Boeing 737. The investigation also reviewed the operational status of the aircraft's rain repellent system and the company's training regarding its recent reactivation.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the loss of visual cues due to increasing precipitation, which prevented the crew from correcting a rightward drift prior to touchdown.
- The captain committed to the landing because a go-around was deemed too risky due to the aircraft's low-energy state.
- Hydroplaning and low tire cornering forces on the contaminated runway caused the aircraft to drift off the runway after touchdown.
- The crew's inability to maneuver the aircraft back onto the runway was due to a combination of wet ground, reverse thrust, wind, and runway slope.
- The crew did not utilize the aircraft's rain repellent system, which could have improved visibility, because the airline had not sufficiently emphasized the system's recent return to operational service.