What happened
On 9 March 2001, a Fairchild SA227-AC Metro III, registration ZK-RCA, was performing a scheduled passenger flight from Auckland to Tauranga. As the aircraft was flared for touchdown at Tauranga Aerodrome, the crew encountered a flock of spur-winged plovers rising from the runway. The aircraft struck the birds, and the crew immediately noted a failure in the left-hand engine.
During the landing roll, the pilot utilized reverse thrust, but the aircraft began to yaw significantly. After bringing the aircraft to a halt using moderate braking, the crew initiated the engine shutdown checklist. While taxiing toward the terminal, the right-hand engine also unexpectedly spooled down. There were no injuries among the 16 passengers and 2 crew members on board. The aircraft was eventually towed to the terminal, and the left-hand engine was replaced following a major overhaul.
The investigation
TAIC investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the cockpit ergonomics, and the environmental factors at the aerodrome. The investigation confirmed that the left-hand engine failure was a direct result of the bird strike. Regarding the second engine failure, investigators found no evidence of a mechanical fault. Instead, they determined that the right-hand engine shutdown was likely caused by the pilot accidentally selecting the fuel shutoff switch for that engine.
Review of the cockpit layout revealed that the central pedestal featured identical fuel and hydraulic shutoff switches arranged in a single row. This configuration made it difficult for the pilot to distinguish between the two switches, especially while performing tasks related to the failed left-hand engine.
Findings
- The primary cause of the initial engine failure was the ingestion of birds into the left-hand engine.
- The secondary engine shutdown was likely due to the pilot mistakenly selecting the right-hand fuel shutoff switch.
- The ergonomics of the Metro III cockpit switches predisposed the crew to misidentification.
- The crew departed from standard operating procedures during the checklist execution, which removed a critical safeguard against incorrect switch selection.
- The spur-winged plover population represents a significant and growing wildlife threat to aviation safety in New Zealand.
Safety action
Following the incident, the operator implemented several measures, including issuing a notice to all aircrew regarding strict adherence to standardized checklist procedures. Additionally, the appearance of the fuel and hydraulic switches was modified to prevent future misidentification. The Commission also recommended that aviation authorities investigate more effective ways to manage the spur-winged plover population to reduce strike risks.