What happened
On March 8, 1999, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registration PH-SAV, performed a landing at Midden-Zeeland airport that resulted in the aircraft exiting the runway and entering adjacent water. The flight was a ferry operation; the pilot had previously flown several legs throughout the day, including stops in Lelystad, Budel, Twenthe, and Ballenstedt.
Prior to the landing, the pilot had been advised by the harbor master in Budel to divert to Rotterdam due to the poor condition of the Midden-Zeeland landing field and the aircraft's high landing weight. The pilot chose to proceed to Midden-Zeeland regardless. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a go-around to check the wind and decided to land on runway 27. Despite the field being under 'Prior Permission Required' (PPR) restrictions and a displaced threshold reducing the available landing distance, the pilot touched down near the harbor master's building, leaving insufficient runway for braking.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's performance, the pilot's decision-making, and the airfield's operational status. Investigators found that the pilot misjudged the wind conditions; while the pilot believed the wind was from the north, official observations indicated an easterly or southeasterly wind, which likely resulted in an uncalculated tailwind component.
Analysis of the landing distance showed that even under ideal conditions, the required distance for the aircraft's weight would have been significant. The presence of wet grass and a potential tailwind further increased the necessary stopping distance beyond the approximately 470 meters of usable runway remaining at the point of touchdown. The investigation also noted that the pilot had completed eight take-offs and landings over an eleven-hour period, suggesting potential fatigue.
Findings
- The pilot did not follow the professional advice to divert to an alternative airport.
- The pilot selected a runway that deviated from the information provided in the signal square.
- The pilot failed to correctly calculate the required landing distance.
- The wind situation was misjudged, leading to insufficient anticipation of a tailwind.
- The aircraft touched down at approximately the three-fifths mark of the available runway, making a safe stop impossible.
- Possible fatigue played a contributing role due to the high number of flight segments performed that day.
Safety action
Following the investigation, a recommendation was made to the Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management to more clearly define the term 'Prior Permission Required' (PPR) and the specific procedures for obtaining such permission within official regulations, involving airport operator organizations in the process.