Airbus A320 Overruns Runway 32 at Sylt Airport

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 30 September 2017, an Airbus A320-214 operated by a German airline overran runway 32 at Sylt Airport. The aircraft, which had departed from Düsseldorf, came to a stop approximately 80 meters beyond the runway end on a grassy area. The incident was classified as a serious disturbance, with no injuries to passengers or crew and no damage to the aircraft, though runway edge lighting was damaged. ## Flight Operations and Approach The flight crew, consisting of a 61-year-old pilot-in-command and a 35-year-old copilot, conducted an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 32. The approach was stabilized at approximately 11 nautical miles from the threshold. The crew noted a tailwind component of 11 to 12 knots and a wet runway with water patches. The pilot-in-command selected an auto-brake setting of “Medium” and a final approach speed (VAPP) of 131 knots. ## Landing and Overrun The aircraft touched down approximately 930 meters beyond the runway threshold. The pilot-in-command later stated he felt he had flared too far and touched down late but did not initiate a go-around. The auto-brake function was disengaged by the pilot-in-command shortly after touchdown, and maximum brake pressure was applied. The aircraft passed the end of runway 32 at approximately 44 knots and stopped after traveling about 80 meters on the grass. ## Investigation Findings The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) examined the incident, including the aircraft’s minimum equipment list and meteorological conditions. The investigation found no lateral deviation from the runway centerline during the landing roll. The probable cause was not explicitly stated in the provided source text.