What happened
On January 8, 2025, at 09:40 UTC, an Aquila A211, registration TC-UDN, operated by Fenix Havacılık A.Ş., was involved in a runway excursion at Bursa Yenişehir Airport (LTBR). The aircraft, performing a training flight, landed on runway 07L under CAVOK weather conditions. Following the landing, the pilot attempted to exit the runway onto taxiway A4. During this maneuver, the aircraft was traveling at a high speed. Upon receiving instructions from the tower to exit the runway at the first available opportunity, the pilot executed a wide-angle turn using heavy braking and significant rudder input. This resulted in the aircraft veering off the pavement and entering a drainage ditch east of taxiway A4.
The investigation
The UEİM investigation analyzed flight data from the aircraft's Garmin GDU 460 and 470 display units. The analysis revealed that the approach was unstable, with the pilot pitching the nose down to compensate for altitude loss, causing speeds to reach 118 knots. While the aircraft landed on the runway centerline at 52 knots, the subsequent attempt to turn at 46 knots involved aggressive rudder inputs. The investigation also reviewed maintenance logs, finding that all 100-hour inspections and relevant service bulletins were up to date, and that weight, balance, and fuel levels were within limits. No mechanical failures or environmental factors were identified as contributing to the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was human error, specifically the pilot's attempt to maneuver the aircraft into a taxiway at an excessive speed.
- The pilot applied aggressive right rudder input while traveling at high speed, leading to the loss of directional control.
- The approach phase was characterized by an unstable flight path, including fluctuating pitch angles and high approach speeds.
- There was no evidence of mechanical malfunction, improper maintenance, or pilot impairment, as alcohol testing returned a 0.00 promille result.