What happened
On 26 September 1998, a Cessna 560 Ultra, registration VP-CKM, was conducting a private flight from Sheffield to Fairoaks Airport. Upon arrival, the crew initially planned to land on Runway 06 but, due to visibility issues, opted for an approach to Runway 24.
During the landing roll, the commander applied full thrust reverse and moderate braking. However, as the aircraft continued down the runway, the commander deselected the thrust reversers and attempted to shut down the engines. The aircraft failed to stop within the paved surface, exiting the runway and traveling 200 metres through paddocks and ditches. The impact caused the landing gear to be torn off and resulted in two minor injuries to the crew.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation utilized cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data and radar information to reconstruct the flight path. The investigation established that the aircraft touched down approximately 380 metres beyond the runway threshold, a point significantly further down the runway than the crew had anticipated.
Engineers examined the aircraft's mechanical state, finding the anti-skid system was functional and the flaps were set to the landing position. While the runway was noted as damp and "shiny," friction tests conducted later showed the runway surface was within acceptable safety limits. The investigation also noted a discrepancy in the approach lighting (APAPIs) settings, which were slightly different from the published charts, though this was not considered a primary cause.
Findings
- The aircraft touched down much further down the runway than intended, as the crew believed the touchdown was near the threshold.
- The commander deselected the thrust reversers during the landing roll in an attempt to prepare for a potential go-around or to shut down the engines, which reduced the aircraft's deceleration rate.
- The presence of a 5 kt tailwind and a damp runway surface contributed to the increased landing distance.
- The crew did not apply the safety factors for landing distance recommended for private operations in the UK.