What happened
On 11 June 2018, a Britten Norman BN2B-26 Islander, registration VP-FBM, was conducting a short commercial passenger flight between Weddell Island and Beaver Island in the Falkland Islands. The flight, operated by a single pilot, was intended to be a 12-minute journey.
Initially, the pilot planned to land on Runway 13 due to southerly winds. However, after contacting the destination, the pilot was advised that wind conditions favored an approach to Runway 2/27. Following this late repositioning, the aircraft commenced its final turn. Video footage captured by passengers shows that approximately eight seconds after the aircraft rolled out on final approach, the stall warning horn activated, followed immediately by a hard impact. The pilot noted that the right wing dropped just before the aircraft struck the ground.
Post-accident inspections showed the left wheel had struck a small bank 14.5 m before the start of the runway undershoot area, while the right wheel struck a bank 12.4 m short of the same area. The aircraft eventually came to rest 3.5 m inside the undershoot area. The impact caused significant damage to the right landing gear, engine mounts, and the wing.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the local topography, and the weather conditions at the time of the accident. The airfield at Beaver Island features a secondary strip (Runway 09/27) that is relatively short, and the surrounding terrain can create complex wind effects.
Investigators reviewed the pilot's experience, noting the commander was highly experienced on this type. The weather was reported as having a south-west wind of approximately 20 kt, creating a 15 kt crosswind, with visibility of 8 km in mist and a cloud base of 400 ft. The investigation also considered the impact of the late change in landing runway on the aircraft's stability during the final approach.
Findings
- The aircraft likely experienced a stall or an unexpected descent during the final approach at a low altitude.
- This loss of lift was likely caused by a combination of low approach speeds required for the short runway and turbulence or windshear generated by the local topography.
- The late decision to reposition for Runway 27 may have contributed to the handling of the aircraft just before touchdown.
- There were no injuries to the crew or the two passengers on board.
Safety action
Following the accident, the operator performed an internal review. As a precautionary measure, the operator decided to level off certain banks located short of the undershoot areas at the Beaver Island airstrips.