Runway Overrun of Hawker Siddeley HS 748 at Guernsey Airport

Casualties unknown • Guernsey Airport, Channel Islands; Latitude: 49º26ºN Longitude: 002º36'W, GB

A cargo flight involving a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 Series 2A overran the runway at Guernsey Airport due to significant deviations from standard operating procedures.

What happened

On 8 March 2006, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 Series 2A, registration G-BVOV, was performing a cargo service from Jersey to Guernsey. During the approach to Runway 27, the flight crew encountered poor weather conditions. While the weather was within acceptable limits for a Category I ILS approach, the aircraft's touchdown occurred significantly further down the runway than intended, between 400 and 550 metres from the end of the paved surface.

Following the touchdown, the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently, eventually overrunning the runway by approximately 145 metres onto the adjacent grass. There were no injuries resulting from the incident, and the aircraft sustained damage, though the runway surface itself was found to be in a suitable condition for landing.

The investigation

The AAIB investigation focused on the flight crew's adherence to company protocols and the operational oversight of the operator, Emerald Airways Limited. Investigators examined the flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and the maintenance of the aircraft's braking and propeller systems.

Technical analysis revealed that the aircraft's braking and propeller pitch control systems were fully functional. However, the investigation found that the crew did not follow the required procedures for the approach. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the operator's training standards, discovering that the company's training staff, including Type Rating Examiners, lacked sufficient knowledge of the company's own Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Probable cause

The runway overrun was caused by the flight crew's failure to follow Standard Operating Procedures during a Category I ILS approach, specifically a delayed decision to land or go around, and the failure to apply maximum braking or withdraw flight fine pitch stops immediately after touchdown.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2006-03-08 Hawker Siddeley HS 748 Series 2A accident near Guernsey Airport, Channel Islands; Latitude: 49º26ºN Longitude: 002º36'W, GB?

A cargo flight involving a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 Series 2A overran the runway at Guernsey Airport due to significant deviations from standard operating procedures.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2006-03-08 involved a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 Series 2A, registration G-BVOV, at Guernsey Airport, Channel Islands; Latitude: 49º26ºN Longitude: 002º36'W, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The runway overrun was caused by the flight crew's failure to follow Standard Operating Procedures during a Category I ILS approach, specifically a delayed decision to land or go around, and the failure to apply maximum braking or withdraw flight fine pitch stops immediately after touchdown.

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