What happened
On 2ds May 2025, a Cessna 310R, registration VH-NXA, was performing a non-scheduled transport flight from Darwin to Lake Evella, Northern Territory, for Marthakal Yolngu Airline. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four passengers. During the visual approach to runway 08, the pilot maintained an approach path that was higher than the standard profile, with a descent rate exceeding 800 fpm for several seconds. The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at approximately 55 ft with a ground speed of 94 kt, which was roughly 6–7 kt above the calculated landing speed.
Due to the excess airspeed and ground effect, the aircraft experienced a prolonged float before touching down halfway down the runway. When the pilot attempted to decelerate by applying brakes past the airport's apron area, the aircraft failed to slow down as expected. The Cessna 310R subsequently overran the runway and struck a fence. While there were no injuries to the pilot or passengers, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The ATSB examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the operator's weight and balance procedures. Investigators found that the braking system was compromised by a failure to properly verify recent maintenance. A licensed engineer had assumed an apprentice had replaced the brake pads during a previous task, and no physical verification was performed. Furthermore, the pilot had noted "spongy brakes" during the pre-flight engine run-up but did not report the issue to maintenance, mistakenly believing the behavior was normal for the aircraft.
Additionally, the investigation revealed that the aircraft was being operated above its certified weight limits. This was due to a combination of the operator's reliance on self-reported passenger weights without additional safety margins and an electronic weight and balance system that utilized incorrect maximum weight data.
Findings
- The certifying engineer failed to confirm that the apprentice had replaced the brake pads, leaving the right brake system with worn pads and insufficient hydraulic fluid.
- The pilot's approach exceeded the standard profile and speed, leading to a touchdown point that significantly reduced the available stopping distance.
- The aircraft was operated above its certified weight limits due to errors in the electronic weight and balance system and inadequate passenger weight verification procedures.