Flight History
On 29 June 2003, a SAAB 2000 aircraft, registration HB-IYB, operated by Swiss International Airlines, was conducting scheduled flight LX 2620 from Lugano to Olbia. The aircraft departed Lugano at 07:59 UTC with 24 passengers and 4 crew members. The first officer served as pilot flying for the entire route.
At 08:45 UTC, Marseille Control cleared the aircraft to descend from flight level 250 to flight level 200. The crew conducted an approach briefing for runway 06, agreeing to adjust if runway 24 were in use. At 08:52, Rome Control cleared SWR 2620 to flight level 100, directing towards CORSI then SME.
At 08:54, the first officer contacted Olbia Approach, which cleared the aircraft for landing on runway 24 and instructed to maintain high speed for priority. Weather information included calm wind, CAVOK conditions, temperature 34°C, dew point 14°C, and QNH 1009 hPa. At 08:55, the aircraft began descending. A second approach briefing for runway 24 was conducted at 08:56 with repeated interruptions.
At 08:58, the commander noted that descent checks had not been completed and requested the approach briefing. The first officer responded that the briefing had just been finished, and the commander agreed. Approximately two minutes later, the commander informed passengers that landing would occur in six minutes.
At 09:00, about 10 nautical miles from the airport, the tower asked the crew if they had the runway in sight and whether they could land. The investigation focused on the events leading up to this point and the aircraft's systems.
Aircraft Systems
The SAAB 2000 is equipped with several systems relevant to the investigation: a Touchdown protection system, an Anti-skid system, a Weight On Wheel (WOW) system, a Ground Beta and thrust reverse system, and an Autoflap Retraction (AFR) system. These systems were examined as part of the inquiry.