What happened
On April 12, 2017, a Britten Norman BN2A-26, registered 8R-GAR, was performing a scheduled cargo and passenger shuttle between Mahdia and Kopinang in Guyana. After experiencing heavy rain over the destination, the pilot delayed the approach to allow the weather to pass.
Upon landing at Kopinang Airstrip, the aircraft encountered a wet, grass runway surface. During the landing roll, the pilot applied brakes, but the wheels locked up due to the slippery conditions. Despite attempts to modulate the brakes and raise the flaps to assist in deceleration, the aircraft failed to stop within the usable portion of the runway. The pilot steered the aircraft away from an occupied vehicle in an adjacent field and directed the plane into a construction area located at the end of the runway, where the aircraft eventually came to a halt.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board, though the aircraft sustained damage to the starboard wing tip, the starboard main undercarriage, and the starboard nacelle structure.
The investigation
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) investigation examined several contributing factors, including the state of the airstrip, the weather, and the pilot's decision-making. Investigators found that the Kopinang Airstrip was undergoing construction, which had reduced the usable runway length from 2000ft to 1500ft. Additionally, the first 300ft of the runway was soggy and unusable.
The investigation also noted that the lack of a functional windsock prevented the pilot from accurately assessing wind conditions. Regarding the operator, Air Services Limited, the investigation noted that the company's management structure might be overextended due to the variety of aircraft in its fleet. Furthermore, the GCAA's published NOTAM regarding the construction work lacked specific details regarding the extent of the runway limitations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the inability to stop the aircraft within the usable runway area.
- The wetness of the grass runway surface prevented effective braking.
- The pilot failed to perform a proper assessment of the runway conditions prior to landing.
- The pilot's decision-making was influenced by complacency, having operated at the airstrip frequently and having flown the same route earlier that day under excellent weather.
- The airstrip lacked a serviceable windsock and adequate demarcation of the construction zone.
- The published NOTAM did not provide sufficient detail regarding the specific area of construction or the remaining usable runway length.