What happened
On January 31, 2017, a Beech 400A, registration OK-EAS, operating flight TIE020Y from Geneva (LSGG), landed at Pardubice Airport (LKPD) on runway 27. The flight was carrying three passengers and a two-person crew.
Prior to arrival, the crew received information from Air Traffic Control (ATC) stating that the runway had been cleared of snow, with a 1 mm wet snow cover and braking action rated as medium to good. However, during the landing roll, the crew experienced much poorer braking performance than anticipated. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, the commander attempted to steer left and then right to utilize the remaining distance to taxiway D. This maneuver caused the aircraft to skid, rotating approximately 90 degrees. The aircraft subsequently overran the end of runway 27 at a speed of 15–20 knots, exiting into the airfield apron. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined flight data recorder records, crew statements, ATC communications, and airport camera footage. The investigation focused on the discrepancy between the reported runway conditions and the actual friction levels.
Investigators found that while the runway had been treated with chemical de-icing agents, ongoing snowfall and freezing conditions complicated the maintenance efforts. A critical finding was that the braking action information provided to the crew was based on an estimate by the airport maintenance lead rather than recent physical measurements. While the crew had received a report of "medium" braking action, subsequent friction measurements taken shortly after the excursion revealed that the braking action on the second and third sections of the runway was actually "poor."
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the landing on a runway surface where contamination and braking action were significantly worse than the information received by the crew.
- The information provided by the tower regarding runway contamination and estimated braking action was unreliable and likely differed from the actual state of the runway at the time of landing.
- Heavy snowfall and the complexity of removing ice/snow from the movement area hindered effective runway maintenance.
- There was insufficient time between the chemical treatment of the runway and the aircraft's arrival to ensure that the braking action had not deteriorated.
- The aircraft systems, including brakes and spoilers, functioned correctly during the landing roll.