What happened
On 16 August 2006, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registration G-BBNT, was performing a commercial passenger flight from London City Airport to Sandown Aerodrome on the Isle of Wight. The flight arrived at approximately 15:52 UTC under favorable weather conditions, with an air temperature of 18ºC and light winds.
Upon touchdown on Runway 23, the pilot initiated a standard landing roll with gentle braking. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, the pilot observed a vehicle entering the overrun area from a nearby public road. The vehicle appeared to be turning left toward the path of the aircraft. To prevent a collision, the pilot elected to continue straight ahead, steering the aircraft across the overrun area and over a minor public road. The maneuver successfully avoided the vehicle, and the aircraft was subsequently turned around and vacated the runway via the northern taxiway. There were no injuries to the two crew members or the four passengers on board, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the landing performance and the circumstances surrounding the vehicle's presence on the airfield. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's landing weight of 2,869 kg was within its maximum allowable limits. Calculations based on the runway conditions—a dry grass surface—indicated that the required landing distance was 837 m, which was within the available landing distance available (LDA) of 884 m.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to continue straight onto the overrun was the most prudent action to avoid a collision with the vehicle.
- The vehicle was observed leaving the area at high speed following the incident.
- The runway surface was dry grass at the time of the event.