On July 23, 1996, an IAI 1124 Westwind (registration 4X-AIP) operated by Arkia Israeli Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Rosh Pina (ראש פינה), Israel during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Runway 33 at Rosh Pina Airport is 1,100 metres long with a displaced threshold, giving a landing distance available of 975 metres. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Eight occupants escaped uninjured after an aircraft struck a concrete block during a runway excursion at Rosh Pina Airport. The aircraft lost its undercarriage and was damaged beyond repair. Investigation found no thrust reverser malfunction but cited poor flight preparation.
Incident Details
After landing on runway 33 at Rosh Pina Airport, the captain believed the thrust reverser systems were not functioning correctly and instructed the copilot to activate them again. The aircraft failed to decelerate as expected, prompting the captain to veer off the runway. During the deviation, the aircraft struck a concrete block, lost its undercarriage, and came to rest. All eight occupants escaped without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Investigation Findings
Runway 33 at Rosh Pina Airport measures 1,100 metres in length with a displaced threshold, resulting in a landing distance available of 975 metres. The investigation determined that the crew had not previously landed at this airport. Due to poor flight preparation and planning, they failed to recognize that the runway length was insufficient for the type of aircraft in its landing configuration. No malfunction was found in the thrust reverser systems.
Probable cause
Runway 33 at Rosh Pina Airport is 1,100 metres long with a displaced threshold, giving a landing distance available of 975 metres. It was determined that the crew never land in the past at this airport and due to a poor flight preparation and planning, failed to identify that the runway length was insufficient for such type of aircraft in such flight configuration. No malfunction was found on the thrust reversers.
