What happened
On October 23, 2022, at approximately 23:10 local time, a Korean Air Airbus A330-322, registration HL7525, experienced a runway overrun during landing at Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the Philippines. The flight, which originated from Incheon International Airport, was operating under instrument meteorological conditions involving heavy rain.
The flight crew attempted several approaches to Runway 22. During the first approach, the crew executed a go-around due to lost visibility caused by heavy rain. On the second approach, the aircraft made ground contact before reaching the runway threshold. This initial contact triggered several system warnings, including faults in the landing gear control interface units and an anti-skid brake fault.
Following a third approach where the crew noted a landing gear indication issue, the aircraft attempted a fourth landing. During the landing roll on Runway 22, the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently, overran the end of the runway, and collided with the localizer antenna and runway approach lighting system. The aircraft eventually came to rest in a grassy area approximately 235 meters beyond the runway end. The accident resulted in minor injuries to one flight crew member, four cabin crew members, and 15 passengers. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the AAIIB, examined the flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and the physical condition of the aircraft and runway. Investigators analyzed the sequence of multiple approaches and the technical failures reported by the crew. The examination focused on the mechanical state of the main landing gear, the presence of a 15-centimeter step at the edge of the runway pavement, and the functionality of the aircraft's braking and hydraulic systems. The investigation also reviewed the maintenance history of the aircraft and the operational procedures used by the crew during the various approach attempts.