Incident Overview
On 15 September 2020, an Airbus A330 aircraft, registration PK-LEG, operated by PT. Lion Mentari Airlines (Lion Air) as flight LNI208, experienced a runway excursion during landing at Kualanamu International Airport (WIMM), Medan, Indonesia. The aircraft was on a scheduled passenger flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (WIII), Jakarta. There were 2 pilots, 9 flight attendants, and 307 passengers on board; no injuries were reported.
Flight History
Prior to departure, the Flight Operation Officer (FOO) briefed the crew that the weather forecast for Kualanamu indicated a possibility of light thunderstorm and rain, while the alternate airport Batam had good weather. The Pilot in Command (PIC) decided to carry an additional 1,200 kg of fuel. The aircraft departed Jakarta at 0714 UTC (1414 LT) and cruised at flight level 400 (40,000 feet).
During descent, the pilots deviated approximately 10 nautical miles to the right to avoid cumulonimbus (CB) cloud formations. The air traffic controller (ATCO) instructed the flight to proceed to point ZAIDA for an approach to runway 05. The pilots observed a CB cloud on final for runway 05 and requested to change to runway 23, but the ATCO rejected the request. The aircraft then held at point ZAIDA at 6,000 feet.
During the holding pattern, the Second in Command (SIC), who was a qualified PIC undergoing line training and acting as Pilot Flying (PF) from the left seat, handed control to the PIC (a qualified instructor acting as Pilot Monitoring from the right seat), citing weather conditions and his lesser experience on the aircraft type. The PIC refused and instructed the SIC to continue flying.
Approach and Landing
The crew observed that an aircraft ahead (LNI 973) executed a go-around due to windshear. Another aircraft behind (QZ125) requested a change to runway 23. The pilot of LNI208 asked the ATCO about visibility on final runway 05 and was informed it was 10 km. The pilot then reported a "big thundercloud" on final and again requested runway 23. This time, the ATCO provided radar vectors to point HORAS for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 23.
At 0935 UTC, the PIC reported over HORAS at 3,000 feet. During the approach at approximately 1,000 feet, the SIC again handed control to the PIC, who then became Pilot Flying. At around 500 feet altitude, the autopilot disengaged. The SIC advised the PIC that the wind was 16 knots from 275 degrees.
After the Flight Management Computer (FMC) called "RETARD," the SIC noticed the aircraft position was close to the left runway edge and advised the PIC to fly right. At 0941 UTC, the aircraft touched down. The PIC applied right rudder pedal to realign the aircraft to the runway centerline. The left main landing gear left the runway surface near taxiway D and returned to the runway near taxiway E. The aircraft vacated the runway via taxiway G and parked at stand 14.
Post-Incident Inspection
The pilot reported to the Kualanamu Tower controller that they had slightly veered left and possibly struck a runway light. Subsequent inspection revealed grass on the left main wheel area and deep cuts on wheels number 5 and 6. Runway inspection found two broken runway lights. The investigation by the Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT) is ongoing; the authority issued safety recommendations to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and PT. Angkasa Pura II.