What happened
On February 5, 2015, TransAsia Airways flight DA7507, a Dornier-228 with registration B-55563, was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Taitung Fengnye Airport to Lanyu Airport. The aircraft was carrying 19 passengers and 2 crew members.
At approximately 13:02 local time, the crew established contact with Lanyu Tower and was cleared to land on runway 31. The reported wind was 070 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts up to 22 knots. During the landing sequence at 13:09, the aircraft drifted right of the runway centerline approximately 1,900 feet from the threshold. The aircraft traveled 338 feet off the runway before the pilot managed to steer back onto the pavement.
Following the excursion, the pilot decided to execute a go-around. However, after takeoff, the crew discovered that the landing gear would not retract properly. Consequently, the flight was diverted back to Taitung Fengnye Airport, where it landed safely at 13:50. There were no fatalities or injuries, though the aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) investigated the incident, involving the Civil Aviation Administration and the aircraft operator. The investigation focused on the pilot's proficiency, the airline's training protocols, and the physical characteristics of Lanyu Airport.
Investigators examined the pilot's training records, noting that the flight crew's recent training did not align with the airline's manual. The investigation also reviewed the airline's safety management system, specifically regarding how new pilots are assigned to challenging routes. Additionally, the physical limitations of Lanyu Airport, including its narrow runway safety area and surrounding terrain, were evaluated.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was inappropriate crosswind landing and lateral correction maneuvers by the pilot flying, which occurred during the pilot's first flight to Lanyu Airport with a non-instructor crew member.
- The pilot's recent route training did not comply with the airline's training manual, and the pilot had not undergone the company's customary period of experience on western island routes prior to being assigned to the challenging Lanyu environment.
- The airline's instructor pilot evaluation standards were insufficient to ensure the pilot was competent for operations at Lanyu Airport.
- The airline lacked documented procedures for the transition of new pilots to special airport operations, relying instead on unwritten customs.
- Resource shortages within the airline's flight operations department led to failures in implementing proper training, qualification, and risk management procedures.
- Lanyu Airport's runway safety area is narrower than recommended due to terrain constraints, and the presence of unprotected ditches and cliffs increases the risk of damage during excursions.