What happened
On 9 October 2018, an ATR-72-202 operated by the Latvian airline RAF-AVIA was performing a landing at Trollhättan/Vänersborg airport. During the approach, the aircraft encountered a crosswind originating from the left side. As the aircraft touched down, it drifted off the left side of the runway, striking a runway edge light before rolling back onto the paved surface.
While the aircraft remained intact, the event left visible tire tracks and a damaged light fixture. The crew on board, which consisted of two pilots and one technician, did not report the excursion at the time of the incident. The excursion was later identified by airport staff, who noted the damage and tracks and subsequently notified the operator and the Swedish Transport Agency.
The investigation
SHK examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the operational readiness of the crew. The investigation focused on the aircraft's handling during crosswind conditions and the level of training provided by the operator. Investigators also looked into the lack of immediate reporting by the flight crew regarding the runway excursion.
Findings
The investigation established that the primary cause of the excursion was related to a lack of procedural knowledge and training. Specifically, the operator and the pilots had failed to review the ATR Flight Operations Information Message (FOIM), which contained recommended procedures for managing crosswind landings on this specific model. Furthermore, the pilots lacked comprehensive training for executing crosswind landings on the ATR-72-202.
Safety action
Following the incident, the Latvian civil aviation authority conducted an inspection of RAF-AVIA, resulting in several recommendations for the operator to improve risk assessments, training, and reporting culture. Additionally, the aircraft's type certificate holder decided to update the Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) with supplementary information regarding crosswind landing techniques. The operator has since implemented new training measures to enhance safety during similar operating conditions.