What happened
Flight 5401 departed from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, around 14:15, bound for San Juan. During the initial stages of the flight, including takeoff and climb, the flight proceeded without incident. As the aircraft approached the San Juan traffic area, the crew received weather information via ATIS indicating winds from 060 degrees at 17 knots, with gusts reaching 23 knots. Prior to landing, the radar approach control warned the crew of potential wake turbulence from a preceding Boeing aircraft. In response, the captain instructed the first officer to reduce the airspeed to approximately 140 knots.
At 14:46, the aircraft was cleared to land on runway 08. As the first officer transitioned to a visual approach, the aircraft descended below the glideslope, triggering a GPWS alert. The ATR crossed the runway threshold at an altitude of approximately 45 feet above ground level with an indicated airspeed of 110 knots. During the approach, the captain noted that the aircraft was ballooning and instructed the first officer to manage the pitch and power.
The aircraft's landing sequence involved several distinct impacts. The first touchdown occurred at 14:49:41, roughly 1,600 feet past the runway threshold. Following this contact, the aircraft skipped to an altitude of 4 feet and made a second touchdown 2,200 feet beyond the threshold. The aircraft then pitched up to 9 degrees before the pitch angle decreased significantly. A third touchdown occurred at 14:49:51, approximately 3,300 feet beyond the threshold, characterized by a 7-degree left bank and high vertical loads. A fourth and final touchdown took place 15 seconds after the initial contact, about 4,000 feet beyond the threshold, with a 29-degree left bank. The aircraft eventually came to a halt on a grassy area, 4,317 feet beyond the runway threshold and 217 feet left of the centerline.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced multiple touchdowns and skips during the landing phase.
- The flight crew was managing potential wake turbulence and wind gusts during the approach.
- The aircraft's descent below the glideslope triggered automated ground proximity warnings.