What happened
During operations on the dynamic beach environment of Fraser Island, an aircraft experienced a runway overrun. The landing occurred well beyond the runway threshold, which caused the aircraft to become airborne again during the landing phase. This sequence of events resulted in the aircraft exiting the designated landing area and entering a section of the beach containing a washout that was unsuitable for a landing roll. The pilot managed to raise the aircraft nose before encountering the washout, which likely prevented a more severe accident.
The investigation
The investigation examined the operational hazards of Fraser Island, which include changing tides, sand conditions, and the presence of vehicles, people, and animals. To manage these risks, the operator utilized runway markers and ground crew, emphasizing the necessity of go-around procedures. The investigation also looked into the pilot's reported issue with a spongy left brake, which the pilot claimed hindered the ability to stop the aircraft. While the operator noted a history of brake issues due to the environment, a post-accident inspection by a maintainer could not reproduce any fault other than accident-related damage.
Furthermore, the investigation considered whether the pilot misidentified clearway bollards as runway marker cones, which might have led to an incorrect assessment of the remaining stopping distance. It was also noted that the passenger manifest, which includes essential passenger weights for calculating take-off and landing distances, was not completed until after the accident occurred.
Findings
- The pilot did not execute a go-around despite encountering a vehicle hazard and landing significantly beyond the runway threshold.
- The aircraft landed with insufficient runway remaining to stop given the aircraft weight and environmental conditions.
- The pilot failed to obtain passenger weights or utilize standard weights to calculate the aircraft weight and balance prior to the flight, which is necessary to assess required landing distances.
- The area beyond the runway contained a washout that was unsuitable for the landing roll.