What happened
On January 3, 2008, an Atlas Blue Boeing 737-400, registration CN-RMX, was performing a scheduled passenger flight from Marrakech to Deauville. During the approach to runway 30, the flight crew was informed by air traffic control that the runway was extremely slippery and contained ice.
As the aircraft approached the decision altitude, the pilot flying intentionally flew a lower trajectory to intercept the glide slope. The aircraft touched down approximately 350 meters past the displaced threshold. Shortly after touchdown, the spoilers deployed and the autobrake system activated. However, the application of reverse thrust was delayed until the nose gear made contact with the runway, roughly 1,470 meters from the end of the runway.
Despite maximum braking efforts, the aircraft could not decelerate sufficiently. The aircraft exited the runway at a ground speed of 44 knots and came to a stop approximately 40 meters beyond the runway end. All 168 passengers and the crew members were unharmed, though the aircraft sustained damage as both engines ingested soil during the excursion.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the runway conditions and the crew's landing performance. Investigators examined the meteorological reports, which confirmed the presence of mist, a low ceiling of 400 feet, and ice on the runway surface. The investigation also reviewed the communication between the air traffic controller and the crew, noting that the controller had explicitly warned the crew that the runway was "very very slippery" and that ice was present.
Technical analysis of the aircraft's flight parameters showed that while the crew attempted to manage the landing by adjusting the approach path, the deceleration was insufficient to stop the aircraft within the available runway distance due to the reduced friction levels.