What happened
On 21 April 2004, a DHC-8-402, registration G-JEDI, arrived at Birmingham Airport from Edinburgh on a scheduled passenger flight. During the approach, air traffic control (ATC) notified the crew that another aircraft was lined up for departure on Runway 15 and that a subsequent arriving aircraft should expect a late landing clearance.
Following a standard touchdown and deceleration, the pilot proceeded toward the far end of the runway to vacate the active surface. To minimize runway occupancy time, the commander attempted a left turn at the end of the runway at an expeditious speed. As the aircraft turned approximately 30 degrees off the runway heading, the nose wheel began to slide. With insufficient pavement remaining to correct the path, the aircraft drifted off the paved intersection and became bogged in the soft ground up to its axles. There were no fatalities and no injuries among the 4 crew members or 69 passengers on board. The incident caused minor damage to the nose gear bay and forced the closure of the runway, requiring a go-around for the following aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight data recorder, which revealed that the aircraft was traveling at approximately 40 kt at the start of the turn, dropping to 34 kt as the heading changed. Environmental conditions at the time included light rain and a wet runway surface.
Investigators also reviewed the runway's friction properties. While a previous survey had shown generally good friction, it was noted that certain areas of the runway, including a point near the turnoff, had friction levels falling below the Minimum Friction Level (MFL) defined in CAP 683. The investigation also considered the operational pressure to vacate the runway quickly due to the presence of an aircraft awaiting takeoff and another on short final.
Findings
- The commander attempted a sharp 90-degree turn at a high speed to vacate the runway quickly.
- The combination of high speed and reduced surface friction caused the loss of nose wheel steering effectiveness.
- The pilot was attempting to minimize runway occupancy time due to active traffic on the runway and on final approach.