Incident Details
On 21 April 2004 at 1457 UTC, a DHC-8-402 registration G-JEDI landed on Runway 15 at Birmingham Airport following a passenger flight from Edinburgh. The aircraft touched down normally and decelerated, continuing towards the turnoff at the far end of the runway. As the commander initiated a left turn, the nose wheel began to slide when the aircraft had turned approximately 30° from the runway heading. Insufficient runway remained for corrective action, and the aircraft ran off the paved runway/taxiway intersection, sinking up to its axles in soft ground. ATC instructed the next landing aircraft to go-around, and the runway was declared closed.
Environmental Conditions
At the time, the surface wind was 180°/14 knots gusting to 22 knots, visibility 9,000 metres in light rain, overcast at 300 feet, temperature +12°C, and QNH 1002 mbs. The runway was assessed as wet. A friction test conducted one hour later indicated good braking action.
Runway Information
Runway 15/33 at Birmingham is 2,605 metres long and 46 metres wide with a grooved asphalt surface. The landing distance available on Runway 15 is 2,279 metres. The only taxiway serving the terminal directly is at the extreme end of Runway 15, perpendicular to the runway. Aircraft landing on Runway 15 unable to turn off at the intersection with Runway 06/24 must continue approximately 1,000 metres to this final exit. Following a previous incident involving a Boeing 767 at the same location, a friction survey of Runway 15/33 had been conducted. The survey identified that friction values over some painted markings fell below the Minimum Friction Level (MFL), and an area of concrete at the southern end had friction below the Maintenance Planning Level (MPL). One point near the turnoff was below the MFL.
Flight Data Recorder Information
Data from the Flight Data Recorder showed that the airspeed at the start of the turnoff was approximately 40 kt, and as the turn continued through 30° left of the runway heading, the airspeed was approximately 34 kt.
Conclusion
The commander was aware of an aircraft lined up for departure and another on short final. Faced with only two runway exits, he attempted a 90° left turn at the end of the runway, where the combination of speed and reduced surface friction resulted in the loss of nose wheel steering effectiveness.
Follow-up Action
The operator issued a Notice to Aircrew advising to reduce speed before sharp turns, use caution on wet concrete surfaces, not feel pressured to expedite runway clearance, and avoid excessive steering angles except at very low speed. Birmingham Airport Limited intended to construct an additional runway turnoff approximately 420 metres from the southern end of Runway 15.