FlightFinder
No fatalities

2016-04-28: Embraer ERJ-190 (HC-COX) — Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME — Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar, Ecuador

Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar, EcuadorLanding (descent or approach)

On April 28, 2016, an Embraer ERJ-190 (registration HC-COX) operated by Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME was involved in an aviation accident near Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar, Ecuador during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The following findings were identified: - The condition of the runway at Cuenca airport, which at the time of the plane's landing was contaminated with water and slippery. - The landing was made after a non-stabilized approach with a tailwind. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 16 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781192426Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft landing at Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport overran the runway and came to rest in a grassy area after a non-stabilized approach. Two passengers were slightly injured; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Flight and Approach

The flight from Quito to Cuenca was uneventful. The crew initiated the descent to Runway 23 at Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport. Weather conditions at the destination were poor, with rain and a contaminated runway. The pilot-in-command continued the approach below the glide path, causing the aircraft to pass over the runway threshold at a height of 37 feet instead of the recommended 50 feet.

Landing and Overrun

The aircraft touched down 277 meters past the runway threshold at a speed of 127 knots. The crew activated the spoilers and reverse thrust. Due to poor braking action, the captain activated the autobrake system, but it was unsuccessful. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the captain intentionally turned the aircraft to the right. The aircraft then ground looped, overran the runway, and came to rest on a grassy area.

Occupants and Aircraft Damage

All 93 occupants were rescued. Among them, two passengers sustained slight injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause

The following findings were identified: - The condition of the runway at Cuenca airport, which at the time of the plane's landing was contaminated with water and slippery. - The landing was made after a non-stabilized approach with a tailwind. - During seven seconds, the crew continued the approach with an excessive rate of descent of 1,186 feet, 186 feet above the limit of 1,000 feet. - The non-application of the Maximum Performance Landing procedure recommended by the aircraft manufacturer for landing on contaminated runways. - The dispatch of the flight with 1,500 kg of fuel more than the amount of fuel usually used for this flight. - Omission of the runway length calculation necessary to perform the landing using the braking efficiency information. - The crew's decision to make the final approach with three red and one white lights, using the PAPI system, induced by the information in the Terminal Information document issued by the company, which authorized this procedure. - The use of confusing terminology in the Terminal Information document, which used terms applicable to the Airbus fleet, instead of Embraer's. - The crew's decision not to perform the thwarted approach maneuver after the maximum allowable vertical speed was exceeded and visibility was apparently limited after the minima were exceeded. - Incorrect use of aircraft braking aids, in this case reverse braking aids - The application of the emergency brake that inhibits the antiskid system. - Lack of implementation of adequate management of crew resources, particularly within the cockpit. - Lack of training in the use of tables for track distance calculation. - In reference to landing conditions, the aircraft needed a runway length of 2,122 metres while the available distance was 1,900 metres.

Related events

Same aircraft family

Same operator

More accident analyses