History of the Flight
On 5 October 2020 at 08:45 a.m., a Hawker 850XP, registration HS-WTH, operated by Ratchthani Leasing Public Company Limited, departed Don Mueang International Airport on a private flight to Pattani Airport with two pilots, one crew member, and four passengers. At approximately 3-5 nautical miles from Pattani Airport, at an altitude of 1,300 feet, speed 130 knots, and a descent rate of 500-700 feet per minute on a 3-degree glide path, the pilot disconnected the autopilot, selected flap 45, and extended the landing gear. After landing on runway 26, the aircraft rolled for about 3-5 seconds before veering to the right side of the runway. The pilot applied full left rudder but the aircraft did not respond. The aircraft traveled approximately 370 meters on the runway safety area strip, where the right main landing gear struck a manhole, causing the aircraft to slow. The pilot then returned the aircraft to the runway and taxied about 135 meters before stopping. The pilot shut down the engines and all seven occupants evacuated safely. The accident occurred at 10:11 a.m.
Injuries to Persons
No injuries were reported among the three crew and four passengers.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including:
- Outboard and inboard tyres of the right main landing gear with cracks, cross cuts, and tears.
- Outboard wheel hub of the right main landing gear damaged by collision with a manhole.
- Right gear door deformed at the front corner.
- Lower and upper torsion links of the right main landing gear deformed.
- Cracks in the fixed inboard forward flap track fairing on the right side.
- Broken clamp holding the electrical cable and lower hydraulic hose of the right main landing gear.
- Outside Ambient Temperature (OAT) probe on the underside of the fuselage dirtied and blocked.
- Fuel leaked from the fuel tank manhole beneath the wing in front of the right main landing gear.
Other Damage
The runway edge light and concrete base at RW-8 position were broken.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 58, held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence with ratings including PIC for HS125. Total flight time was 15,970:00 hours, with 30:48 hours on the Hawker 850XP. He had completed a Flight Safety HS-125 Series Initial Pilot Course in February 2020. The co-pilot, aged 28, held a Commercial Pilot Licence with a Co-Pilot for HS125 rating. Total flight time was 971:25 hours, with 28:45 hours on type. He also completed the same initial pilot course.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Hawker 850XP, serial number 258830, manufactured in 2007 by Textron Aviation Inc. Its maximum take-off mass was 12,701 kg and maximum landing mass 10,591 kg. On the accident flight, take-off mass was 10,722.46 kg and landing mass 9,815.28 kg.
Analysis
The report concluded that the aircraft veered off the runway due to the pilot's inability to control direction after landing. Contributing factors included the design of the runway edge lights and manholes near the runway, and the pilot's distraction during the landing roll.
Conclusions
Causes
- The aircraft veered off the runway due to the pilot's inability to control direction after landing.
Contributing Factors
- The design of runway edge lights and manholes near runway 26.
- Pilot distraction during the landing roll.
Safety Recommendations
Recommendations were issued to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the airport operator to review runway safety area specifications and manhole placement.