What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-03-22 involved a Dornier 328-100 DO328, registration G-BWWT, at Norwich International Airport, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by the pilot's decision to level off at the MDA instead of performing a go-around, leading to an unstable approach that resulted in the aircraft tracking off the runway centerline.

Runway Excursion During Unstable Approach at Norwich

A Dornier 328-100 experienced a right main landing gear excursion onto the grass after an unstable approach at Norwich International Airport.

What happened

On 22 March 2012, a Dornier 328-100, registration G-BWWT, was conducting a scheduled passenger flight from Manchester International Airport to Norwich International Airport. During the final stages of an NDB/DME approach to Runway 09, the aircraft's flight path became unstable.

Upon reaching the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), the commander selected the altitude hold mode rather than initiating a go-around as required by standard procedures. Once the pilot became visual with the runway, he disconnected the autopilot to manually realign the aircraft with the centerline. This maneuver involved significant banking angles at low altitude. As the aircraft crossed the threshold, it was tracking toward the right edge of the runway. The aircraft touched down firmly, with the left gear hitting the pavement first, followed by the right gear, which drifted onto the grass. This caused the right main landing gear to strike and break a runway edge light. The co-pilot called for a go-around, which the commander executed successfully. There were no injuries to the 24 passengers or 3 crew members on board.

The investigation

The AAIB investigation examined flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) information, though the CVR data had been overwritten prior to notification. Radar data from NATS confirmed the aircraft's descent profile. The investigation noted that the approach did not follow Continuous Descent Final Approach (CDFA) techniques, as the aircraft leveled off at the MDA.

Investigators also reviewed the operator's Operations Manual, which mandated that non-precision approaches be flown using CDFA techniques and that a go-around should be initiated if the approach is not stabilized. The investigation also looked into the airfield inspection, which confirmed tyre marks on the runway and grass, alongside the damaged light fixture.

Findings

The commander failed to initiate a go-around at the MDA, instead leveling the aircraft in an attempt to gain visual references.
The approach was unstable, characterized by significant lateral deviations and bank angles at low altitude.
The co-pilot did not call for a go-around before the aircraft was over the runway, despite the unstable nature of the maneuver.
The aircraft's right main landing gear left the paved surface, resulting in the destruction of a runway edge light.