What happened
On 5 December 2015, an Embraer 145MP, registration G-CGWV, was performing a commercial passenger flight from Stansted to Newcastle Airport. During the night-time approach to Runway 25, the aircraft encountered strong, gusty winds. While the crew believed the wind conditions remained within operating limits, the aircraft experienced a rapid roll to the left just before touchdown.
The pilot attempted to correct the roll with right control wheel input, but the left wingtip made contact with the runway surface. An air traffic controller observed a spark near the aircraft upon landing, and subsequent inspections revealed scrape marks on the runway and damage to the aircraft's left wingtip and aileron. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the 4 crew members or 19 passengers on board.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation utilized Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) data from the operator, as the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder were not preserved due to a delay in reporting the incident. The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the recorded wind conditions at Newcastle Airport, and the manufacturer's specifications regarding wingtip clearance.
Data analysis showed that as the aircraft descended, the roll to the left increased, reaching a maximum of 12.8 degrees at a radio altitude of 4 feet. While this angle was lower than the manufacturer's calculated threshold for a wingtip strike on a level surface, the investigation noted that the runway's slope and aerodynamic loads could allow for contact at a shallower angle. The investigation also looked into the discrepancy between the pilot's perception of a gust from the right and the recorded wind data.
Findings
- The rapid left roll was likely caused by a sudden slackening of the strong gusty wind from the left, rather than a gust from the right as perceived by the crew.
- The aircraft's left wingtip struck the runway due to the combination of the roll angle, the runway's lateral slope, and aerodynamic loads.
- The accident was not reported to the AAIB until approximately one month after the occurrence, which resulted in the loss of CVR data.
Safety action
- The aerodrome operator has reviewed its notification procedures to ensure future serious incidents are reported to the AAIB without delay.
- The aircraft operator has updated its company procedures regarding accident and serious incident reporting.
- The operator has amended guidance for calculating approach speeds and intends to incorporate more frequent go-around practice into simulator training.