Background
On 12 August 2007, about 05:20, the flight crew reported for duty at Gimpo Airport for a sequence of flights: Gimpo-Jeju-Gimhae-Gimpo. The first leg, Flight 103 from Gimpo to Jeju, departed at about 06:50 and arrived at Jeju Airport at about 08:15. For the second leg, Flight 502 from Jeju to Gimhae, the aircraft departed Jeju at 08:49.
In-Flight Events
While passing through an altitude of 9,500 feet, RUD CTRL caution and #2 RUD HYD caution lights illuminated. The pilots followed Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedures. According to pilot statements, the #2 RUD HYD caution light remained illuminated constantly, while the RUD CTRL caution light illuminated intermittently. At 15,000 feet, the pilots notified a mechanic at Gimhae Airport of the malfunctions and actions taken per QRH.
Approach and Landing
The crew received clearance from Gimhae Approach Control for an ILS approach to Runway 36L, followed by a circling approach to Runway 18R. On the final approach course of ILS DME RWY 36L, after visually identifying the runway, the captain obtained clearance for the circling approach from Gimhae Tower. From 09:33:57 to 09:34:03, during the turn from the ILS final to downwind, caution lights for Elevator Feel, RUD CTRL, Pitch Trim, and other warnings illuminated. The pilots stated they could not recall all the lights and treated them as nuisances, taking no remedial action. The first officer, as pilot flying, continued the circling approach and aligned with Runway 18R. At the time, ATIS reported wind 130 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 18 knots, ceiling 4,000 feet, mostly cloudy.
At 09:38:08, about 2 feet above the runway, the rudder began to move to the right. The pilot simultaneously moved the control wheel to the right. The aircraft heading changed from 174 to 175 degrees. At 09:38:09, the main landing gear touched down with the aircraft heading at 174 degrees. The aircraft then drifted left into the wind. The pilots initially applied right rudder to maintain centerline, but control wheel input was to the right instead of left wing down. At 09:38:11, the captain kicked the rudder pedal and said, "Why, why, Ah?" The first officer replied, "it doesn’t respond." At 09:38:13, the nose landing gear touched down and brakes were applied. At 09:38:15, the deceleration rate suddenly dropped. Tire marks indicated the aircraft departed the left runway edge at 3,500 feet from the end. At 09:38:19, a groaning sound was recorded. After 09:38:15, the heading increased to the left. At 09:38:25, the captain said, "Oh, no, Gosh," and at 09:38:27, a crash sound and the captain's scream were recorded.
Excursion
The aircraft collided with a concrete drainage ditch located 340 feet from the runway 18R centerline and 4,600 feet from the runway end, coming to rest. The pilots shut off the right engine, declared an emergency, and instructed passengers to evacuate.