Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, an aircraft was preparing to land on runway 35 at Porto Airport. Construction works on the runway had displaced the threshold by 760 metres, as published in a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM). However, during flight preparation at Madrid-Barajas Airport, the crew was not informed about this NOTAM.
Flight and Approach
The flight to Porto was uneventful. The crew received clearance to descend and instructions for a landing on runway 35, but no information about the displaced threshold was provided. During the final approach, the air traffic controller observed that the aircraft was flying too low and instructed the crew to 'overshoot please'. The crew did not react to this instruction and continued the approach.
Landing and Aftermath
The aircraft undershot the displaced threshold and touched down in the construction area. It struck several trenches, causing the undercarriage to be torn off. The aircraft then slid for a few dozen metres before coming to rest on the runway. All 37 occupants were evacuated safely. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified the following factors:
- While preparing the flight in Madrid, the crew was not informed about the NOTAM published by the Porto Airport Authority reporting that the runway 35 threshold had been temporarily displaced by 760 metres due to construction works.
- The existence of two markings on the runway 35 threshold may have confused the crew.
- Lack of concentration of the crew during the flight.
- The controller did not effectively alert the crew about work in progress.
- The controller, trying to alert the crew, did not use correct phraseology.