What happened
On 6 November 2024, a Short Bros SD3-60, registration N915GD, was performing a commercial cargo flight to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (TUP and J) in the British Virgin Islands. During the final approach to Runway 07, the aircraft encountered weather conditions likely influenced by nearby thunderstorm activity. The pilot reported experiencing a downdraught on short finals and applied additional power in an attempt to arrest the descent.
This maneuver resulted in the aircraft touching down approximately 150 meters short of the runway threshold. The initial contact occurred in the undershoot area, causing the aircraft to bounce before touching down again near the threshold. During this undershoot, the aircraft's left mainwheel assembly struck a frangible runway light, causing it to break. The impact also left tyre marks on the runway edge. The crew, unaware that any infrastructure had been struck, continued the flight back to their base in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The investigation
An airfield inspection later revealed a missing runway light and damage to the airfield boundary fence. CCTV footage reviewed by airport authorities confirmed that N915GD had initially touched down in the undershoot area. While the pilot acknowledged landing short of the threshold, they were unaware of the contact with the runway light.
Subsequent maintenance on the aircraft revealed contact marks on the left mainwheel tyre, which necessitated its replacement. The investigation also noted that the event was initially misclassified as a standard incident by airfield authorities, which delayed the notification to the AAIB. Furthermore, the investigation was hindered by a lack of detailed information regarding the pilot's flight experience and the specific handling of the aircraft during the unstable approach.