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2015-02-05: Dornier/Do 228 (B-55563) — Runway, TW

Runway, TW

On February 5, 2015, a Dornier/Do 228 (registration B-55563) was involved in an aviation accident near Runway, TW. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The captain, flying Lanyu for the first time with a non-instructor pilot, performed inappropriate crosswind landing and lateral correction, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway. This summary draws on records from the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB).

Sourcesthe Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB)Primary reportUpdated 1785679213Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered B-55563
Aircraft registered B-55563. Photo: Michel Teiten [ http://www.mablehome.com www.mablehome.com / CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

On February 5, 2015, a Daily Air Dornier-228 (B-55563) veered off runway 31 during landing at Lanyu Airport. The aircraft returned to the runway, performed a go-around, and diverted to Taitung. No injuries were reported; the aircraft sustained minor damage.

Accident Description

On February 5, 2015, Daily Air flight DA7507, a Dornier-228 (registration B-55563), departed Taitung Fengnian Airport at 1251 local time on a scheduled passenger flight to Lanyu Airport. The crew consisted of a captain (pilot flying) and a first officer (pilot monitoring), with 19 passengers, totaling 21 occupants. At 1302, the flight contacted Lanyu Tower and was cleared to land on runway 31. At 1307, tower reported wind from 070 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 22 knots. At approximately 1309:34, about 1,900 feet from the runway 31 threshold, the aircraft veered right of the runway edge, rolling 338 feet off the paved surface before returning to the runway at 1309:36. The captain initiated a go-around, but the landing gear handle could not be retracted normally, so the crew decided to return to Taitung. The aircraft landed safely at Taitung at 1350. No injuries occurred, and the aircraft sustained minor damage.

Investigation

The Aviation Safety Council (ASC) investigated the accident, with participation from the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA), the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, and Daily Air. The investigation concluded with 14 findings and 9 safety recommendations.

Probable Cause

The ASC identified two findings related to probable cause: (1) The captain was flying Lanyu Airport for the first time with a non-instructor pilot, and his crosswind landing and lateral correction techniques were inappropriate, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway. (2) The captain's initial route training did not meet the company's flight crew training manual; he was not assigned to western offshore routes per company practice, his landing skills were immature, and the instructor's check did not ensure his competence for Lanyu operations.

Other Findings

  • The flight crew met regulatory qualifications; no evidence of drug or alcohol impairment was found.
  • The aircraft was airworthy and within weight and balance limits; damage was consistent with the excursion.
  • Lanyu Airport, a special airport due to terrain, has a runway strip width of 40 meters instead of the 60-meter standard for non-instrument runways, with hazards such as uncovered ditches and walls.
  • Daily Air had not installed flight data recorders on its Dornier-228 aircraft, hindering data collection for safety management and investigation.

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