What happened
On 19 June 2024, an Airbus A320-214, registration G-EZGY, was performing a commercial passenger flight into Kerkira Airport, Corfu. During the night approach to Runway 34, the aircraft experienced a protracted flare, causing it to drift high and land deeper than intended, near the end of the touchdown zone.
While the co-pilot believed the aircraft had landed within the designated zone and had already selected reverse idle thrust, the commander assessed that the aircraft had passed the final touchdown zone markers. Following company policy to initiate a go-around if the wheels are not on the runway before the end of the zone, the commander took control and selected TOGA thrust. However, the commander was unaware that the co-leveled thrust reversers had already been engaged by the co-pilot.
This unexpected configuration caused the commander to experience significant startle and surprise. During a period of hesitation, the commander cycled the thrust levers between full power, maximum reverse, and back to TOGA. A master warning also sounded due to the takeoff configuration mismatch. Ultimately, the crew decided to reject the go-around, applying maximum manual braking. The aircraft came to a halt approximately 340 m before the end of the runway.
The investigation
Because the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were overwritten, the AAIB relied on the crew's recollections and data from the Quick Access Recorder and Digital ACMS Recorder. The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the cockpit's physical inputs, and the environmental factors at Kerkira Airport, such as the lack of runway centerline lighting and the non-standard position of touchdown zone markings.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the startle and surprise experienced by the commander following the unintended initiation of a go-around after thrust reversers had been selected.
- A lack of a shared mental model between the two pilots regarding the aircraft's position relative to the touchdown zone contributed to the confusion.
- The commander's awareness of a previous similar incident involving asymmetric thrust reverser deployment acted as a negative performance shaping factor, increasing his hesitation.
- Environmental factors, including darkness and limited runway lighting, made it difficult to judge the final approach and touchdown zone markings.