United Express Flight 8050 Runway Overrun at Ottawa/MacDonald-Cartier International Airport

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On June 16, 2010, an Embraer EMB-145LR regional jet, registration N847HK and serial number 14500857, operated by Trans States Airlines LLC as United Express Flight 8050, overran the runway during landing at Ottawa/MacDonald-Cartier International Airport (CYOW). The aircraft, manufactured in 2004 and powered by two Rolls-Royce AE3007A1 engines, was not equipped with thrust reversers. It had accumulated 14,782.3 airframe hours and 13,829 cycles at the time of the incident. The calculated landing weight was 39,352 pounds, which was within prescribed limits for a flaps-22 landing on Runway 07. No airframe failures or system malfunctions were identified prior to or during the flight. ## Flight History and Approach The flight departed Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD) at 1326 Eastern Daylight Time after a 29-minute ground delay, carrying 33 passengers and 3 crew members. The first officer served as the pilot flying. The crew received updated weather information via ATIS, noting winds of 100°M at 9 knots and a broken ceiling at 2,700 feet. As the aircraft approached, air traffic control advised of a wind shift to 160°M at 10 knots gusting to 16 knots with light rain. Although offered the option to switch to Runway 14, the crew elected to continue the approach to Runway 07 to avoid increased flight time and fuel consumption. The aircraft intercepted the final approach course at 7 nautical miles and the glideslope at 4.7 nautical miles from the threshold. The autopilot was disconnected near the final approach fix, and the landing gear and flaps were configured for landing. ## Landing and Runway Exit The aircraft crossed the Runway 07 threshold at 49 feet above ground level and 139 knots indicated airspeed. A smooth initial touchdown occurred at 1430:15, 1,740 feet from the threshold, but the aircraft floated, with the nose wheel touching down two seconds later at 132 knots. Video recordings confirmed the runway was wet. The first officer applied brakes, and all spoilers deployed automatically. Sensing a lack of deceleration, the captain took control and applied maximum braking, but the aircraft could not be slowed effectively. The aircraft remained on the centerline until approximately 200 feet before the runway end, where it veered left. It exited the paved surface at approximately 62 knots, skidding through the grass for about 120 feet before encountering a sharp downward elevation change of about 2 feet. The nose gear collapsed rearward, causing damage to the nose and cockpit area. The aircraft came to rest 550 feet off the end of Runway 07 and 220 feet to the left of the runway centerline. ## Injuries, Damage, and Crew Factors The flight attendant initiated the evacuation procedure. Two flight crew members and one passenger sustained minor injuries, with no fatalities or serious injuries reported. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and one runway end light was damaged, though the runway and blast pad remained intact. The flight crew consisted of a captain and first officer, both holding U.S. airline transport pilot licenses, and a flight attendant. The captain had approximately 10 years of employment with Trans States Airlines and 11,400 total flying hours, while the first officer had approximately 4 years of employment and 3,000 total flying hours. Both pilots were certified and qualified for the flight. The crew was provided with the minimum rest period of 9 hours, conforming to U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations. However, the investigation determined that the pilots were concerned about experiencing fatigue during the work period before the accident, with the captain obtaining 4 hours of sleep and the first officer likely obtaining 5 hours of sleep in the 33.5 and 26.5 hours before the occurrence, respectively.