What happened
On January 19, 2017, a Bombardier DHC-8-402, registration JA461A, operated by ANA Wings CO., LTD., overran the end of Runway 01R at New Chitose Airport. The aircraft, operating as a scheduled flight for All Nippon Airways, was carrying 21 passengers and four crew members.
Upon landing, the pilot in command (PIC) attempted to vacate the runway quickly via Taxiway B2, following instructions from Air Traffic Control to clear the runway for snow removal operations. During the landing roll, the pilot delayed the application of brakes in an attempt to minimize the time spent on the runway. Simultaneously, the power lever (PL) was not moved to the required Disc position, remaining instead in a flight position. As the aircraft passed Taxiway B3, the power lever slowly transitioned to Flight Idle, but the pilot mistakenly believed the lever was already at the Disc position.
Due to the combination of delayed braking, the lack of propeller braking force, and slippery runway conditions caused by recent snowfall, the aircraft could not decelerate sufficiently. The aircraft exited the runway pavement and came to a halt in a snow-covered grassland approximately 72 meters from the runway end. There were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined flight data recorder (FDR) records, radar tracks, and air traffic control communications. The investigation focused on the sequence of power lever movements, the timing of the braking application, and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's braking and anti-skid systems, as well as the crew's adherence to standard operating procedures for slippery runways.
Findings
- The primary cause of the overrun was the inability to obtain sufficient braking force resulting from a delayed braking application by the pilot and the failure to set the power lever to the Disc position.
- The pilot's desire to vacate the runway promptly led to a delayed start of the braking process.
- The pilot misidentified Taxiway B3 as Taxiway B4, which contributed to the timing error in braking.
- The pilot mistakenly believed the power lever had already been moved to the Disc position and did not verify its actual status.
- The co-pilot did not notice the discrepancy in the power lever position or the pilot's specific intention regarding braking.
- Environmental factors, specifically the presence of snow and ice on the runway and the overrunning zone, reduced the effectiveness of the available braking force.
- The pilot opted not to use reverse pitch to avoid potential lateral instability on the slippery surface, though the investigation noted that appropriate use of reverse pitch could have prevented the incident.