2009 Dassault Falcon 900EX over-run at Emden

Overview and Investigation Authority On 18 November 2009, a Dassault Falcon 900EX overran the end of the runway at Emden after landing. The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) classified the event as an accident and investigated it under the applicable civil aviation accident investigation law. The investigation was conducted for the purpose of accident prevention, not to assign fault or liability. ## Flight and Landing Sequence The aircraft departed Braunschweig at 10:48 local time with three crew members and five passengers for an instrument flight to Emden. It was the first flight segment of the day for the aircraft and crew. The approach to runway 25 at Emden was conducted as a non-precision NDB approach under radar vectoring and continuous radio contact with air traffic control. Weather information provided to the crew included wind from 200 degrees at 15 to 20 knots, gusting between 25 and 30 knots, visibility of 9 kilometers, broken clouds at 1,800 feet, overcast at 2,400 feet, a temperature of 10 degrees, a dew point of 8 degrees, and a QNH of 1006. The crew acknowledged the information. ## Approach Conditions and Aircraft Data The crew reported the approach as stable and uneventful despite strong, gusty winds from the southwest. For a landing weight of approximately 14,420 kg, the calculated reference landing speed (Vref) was 116 knots. Due to the wind and gusts, the approach speed was increased to 128 knots. The landing configuration was slats out and flaps 40 degrees. According to the digital flight data recorder (DFDR), the main landing gear touched down approximately 214 meters beyond the runway threshold. At touchdown, the calibrated airspeed was 124 knots and the ground speed was 115 knots. Engine power on all three engines was approximately 56% N1, with the thrust levers at about 45 degrees. ## Runway Conditions and Damage Witnesses reported the runway was wet, with large puddles near the edges in the last quarter of the runway and a larger puddle left of the centerline in the final 200 meters. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 26 seconds after touchdown. The nose landing gear broke off, and the aircraft sustained heavy damage. There was no personal injury, and third-party damage was limited to minor field damage.