Introduction
On April 23, 2019, an Embraer ERJ 170-200 STD, registration JA11FJ, operated by Fuji Dream Airlines Co., Ltd., experienced a serious incident during takeoff from Yamagata Airport, Japan. The aircraft was operating as scheduled flight 386 to Prefectural Nagoya Airfield. There were 64 people on board: the pilot in command (PIC), three crew members, and 60 passengers.
Flight History
At approximately 16:37 Japan Standard Time, the aircraft pushed back from the apron. The PIC occupied the left seat as pilot flying (PF), and the first officer (FO) served as pilot monitoring (PM). After checking systems and receiving weather information, the crew decided to use runway 19. At around 16:44:54, the PIC increased engine thrust to 40% N1 with brakes applied, then released the brakes and set takeoff thrust. The aircraft began to veer left of the runway centerline shortly after starting the takeoff roll. The PIC attempted to correct with right rudder but was unable to counteract the deviation despite full rudder input. The FO observed the PIC's efforts and attempted to assist but found no rudder pedal reserve. About eight seconds after starting takeoff, at approximately 50 knots, the PIC aborted the takeoff by moving the thrust levers to idle and then to reverse. He did not apply brakes, judging that running off was unavoidable and fearing unstable attitude. The aircraft left the runway surface about 16 seconds after takeoff initiation and came to rest in a grass field. The PIC tried to avoid the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) using the nosewheel steering handwheel but felt an impact. A maintenance technician later determined the aircraft could not move on its own. The crew did not notice any warning lights or EICAS messages until after stopping. Yamagata Airport was closed until 09:30 the next day, and eight flights were cancelled.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was slightly damaged. Two impact marks were found on the lower fuselage, and both nose tires were broken.
Personnel Information
The PIC, age 41, held an airline transport pilot certificate with a type rating for the Embraer ERJ-170. His total flight time was 5,222 hours 57 minutes, with 4,974 hours 29 minutes on type. The FO, age 49, held a commercial pilot certificate with an ERJ-170 type rating. His total flight time was 8,535 hours 52 minutes, with 6,444 hours 10 minutes on type. Both pilots held valid medical certificates.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Embraer ERJ 170-200 STD, serial number 17000526, manufactured May 30, 2016. Its airworthiness certificate was valid under Fuji Dream Airlines' maintenance program. At the time of the incident, estimated weight was 71,505 lb, center of gravity at 18.0% MAC, both within limits.
Meteorological Information
Aviation routine weather reports around the incident time showed visibility 10 km or more, no precipitation. Winds were from 070° at 13 knots at 15:00, 16:00, and 17:00.
Additional Information
- The PAPI system, located about 387 m from the runway 19 threshold on the east side, had one light (the D light, approximately 38 m east of the runway centerline) damaged.
- Yamagata Airport has a single runway (magnetic bearing 014°/194°), 2,000 m long and 45 m wide, with an asphalt-concrete surface and a downslope from the centerline to edges. No parallel taxiway exists; turning areas are used for takeoff positioning. The aircraft stopped about 660 m from the takeoff start point and 65 m east of the runway centerline, with its nose facing 196° magnetic.
- The aircraft's nosewheel steering can be controlled via a handwheel (left side of left seat) in handwheel steering mode or via rudder pedals in pedal mode.