What happened
On August 12, 2014, a privately owned Robinson R44 II, registration JA344T, departed Saga Airport for Iki Airport with a pilot and two passengers. During the flight, the airport's flight information officer notified the pilot that the runway was closed for a safety check following a bird strike involving a different single-engine aircraft.
While the pilot was on the base leg of the approach, they observed workers and a vehicle on the runway. Concerned about the safety of holding over the sea—due to the presence of nearby swimmers and the risks associated with single-engine operations—the pilot requested to land at the end of the runway and wait. Although the information officer requested the aircraft hold until the check was complete, the pilot decided to initiate an approach to hover near the runway threshold.
As the workers were clearing a bird carcass, the pilot began air-taxiing toward the middle of the runway, attempting to maneuver around the maintenance vehicle. The aircraft eventually touched down at the south parking spot after circling the apron.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined the communications between the pilot and the flight information officer, as well as the movements of the airport personnel. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process regarding the closed runway and the safety implications of maneuvering a rotorcraft in close proximity to ground crews performing maintenance.
Findings
- The pilot was aware that the runway was closed and that obstacles were present due to the ongoing bird strike investigation.
- The pilot made a unilateral decision to approach the runway rather than maintaining the instructed holding pattern on the base leg.
- The pilot's decision was motivated by a desire to avoid hovering over the sea, specifically to avoid potential emergency landing complications near beachgoers.
- Air-taxiing in the immediate vicinity of active runway maintenance is considered a hazardous maneuver, as the pilot cannot predict the movements or subsequent plans of ground workers.