What happened
On 19 September 2008, a CEA DR400/2+2, Dauphin, registered G-GAOM, was participating in a joint civil and military safety day at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall. The aircraft was visiting from Bodmin Airfield as part of a large group of approximately 30 light aircraft.
While flying a visual circuit, the pilot was informed by Air Traffic Control (ATC) that they were second in the landing sequence, as the preceding aircraft had just touched down. The pilot reported that they did not hear the ATC instruction to "continue" the approach. Believing the runway would be clear by the time of arrival, and feeling pressure to maintain their landing slot due to following traffic, the pilot proceeded to land on Runway 12.
At the time of landing, the preceding aircraft were still occupying the runway. To avoid a collision, the pilot applied heavy braking during the landing roll. This intense braking resulted in the bursting of both main landing gear tyres. The aircraft eventually came to a stop approximately 400 metres behind the aircraft that had just vacated the runway. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation reviewed the pilot's aircraft accident report, ATC recordings, and conducted further enquiries. The investigation established that the pilot was focused on managing a high and fast approach and failed to confirm the runway was clear. Furthermore, the pilot did not acknowledge the ATC instruction to continue the approach, which would have alerted them to the presence of aircraft still on the runway.
Findings
- The pilot failed to ensure the runway was clear before touchdown.
- The pilot did not hear or acknowledge the ATC instruction to continue the approach.
- The pilot felt pressured by the landing sequence and the arrival of subsequent aircraft.
- The primary cause of the tyre bursts was the application of maximum braking required to avoid an aircraft still on the runway.