What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-08-06 involved a BAe 748-2A (HS-748-2A) C-GTAD, operated by Wasaya Airways Ltd., at Kasabonika, Ontario, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft was landed at a location that left insufficient runway remaining to stop the aircraft under the prevailing conditions, exacerbated by the lack of immediate propeller fine pitch and the choice of runway 03.

Hawker Siddeley 748 Overruns Runway at Kasabonika

A freight flight operating a Hawker Siddeley 748-2A failed to stop on the runway at Kasabonika, Ontario, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and minor injuries to the crew and staff.

What happened

On August 6, 1998, a Hawker Siddeley 748-2A operated by Wasaya Airways Ltd. was conducting a scheduled freight flight from Pickle Lake, Ontario, to Kasabonika, Ontario. The flight, which was the third of the day for the crew, proceeded without incident until the landing phase at Kasabonika.

Upon touchdown on runway 03, the crew applied the wheel brakes as much as possible. However, the aircraft could not be brought to a halt within the remaining runway length. The aircraft overran the runway and the turn-around area, eventually coming to rest in an area of sapling trees approximately 500 feet past the runway end markers. The impact with the terrain and rocks caused significant structural damage, including a broken fuselage and the separation of the nose landing gear. The aircraft was destroyed.

While there were no fatalities, the captain, the first officer, and one of the two freight handlers sustained minor injuries consisting of cuts and bruises.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the factors that prevented the aircraft from stopping on the available runway. Investigators examined the aircraft's braking and propeller systems, finding that the brakes were functional and had absorbed significant energy. However, evidence suggested the propellers did not reach the ground fine pitch position until five seconds after touchdown, reducing aerodynamic drag.

Technical analysis of the aerodrome revealed that the runway slope at Kasabonika is not uniform; the down-slope increases toward the end of runway 03. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the landing distance calculations, noting that high ambient temperatures, the gravel surface, and a possible tailwind component all increased the required stopping distance. The investigation also reviewed the operator's runway analysis manual and the crew's use of visual cues in the absence of the PAPI lights.

Findings

The aircraft was landed at a point from which it could not be stopped under the prevailing environmental conditions.
The propellers failed to immediately reach the ground fine pitch position, reducing necessary deceleration.
The decision to use runway 03 contributed to the overrun.
The safety margin provided by the manufacturer's performance charts was exhausted by the combination of a long touchdown, high temperature, gravel surface, increasing runway slope, and a possible tailwind.
The operator's runway analysis manual contained inappropriate information that did not account for specific regulatory stopping requirements or the effects of wind.