WATCH: Pilot errors caused botched landing of plane travelling from Guernsey

Wednesday 10 March 2021

An aircraft flying from Guernsey to Birmingham escaped serious incident after the plane left the UK airport's runway while landing in strong crosswinds.

The West Atlantic ATP turboprop departed from Guernsey Airport at 11:42 on 22 May 2020. Upon arrival at Birmingham Airport, the crew of the passenger-less SE-MAO faced strong, south-westerly winds, which were generating some turbulence on the approach.

In a newly published report, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) wrote that the crew had been forced to perform a go-around from their first approach to Runway 33 at airport, before skewing off the runway after touching down at the second attempt.

It was ruled that the two-pilot crew had not applied or maintained 'into-wind aileron' during the landing or landing roll and, despite the application of full rudder, could not keep the aircraft on the runway.

Video: At 12:45, while attempting to land, the aircraft drifted to the right of the centreline with the nose about 20° left of the runway direction. A go-around was performed, and the aircraft climbed away before being radar vectored for a further approach. (Flugsnug/YouTube)

The aircraft was off the paved surface for approximately 450 metres, but escaped any serious damage. 

The AAIB's investigation found that both pilots were "reasonably inexperienced" on the aircraft type. Although crosswind landings were an element of their type rating courses, neither could remember having flown in conditions at or near the aircraft limit of 34 kt. The actual wind conditions, while unspecified in the report, were said to be within the plane's landing capability. 

"Despite the challenging conditions, the crew did not discuss the conditions in any detail," the report stated.

"They did not brief who would be holding the control column during either landing roll, or what actions they would take if they were required to abandon the approach or landing.

"The first approach resulted in confusion between the crew over going around which could have itself resulted in an incident or accident. The confusion was eventually overcome by the commander calling for a go-around. 

Video: Both the go-around and the plane's landing were captured on camera and documented by YouTuber 'Flugsnug', whose videos were referenced in the AAIB's report. 

"The second approach resulted in a significant runway excursion due to the use of incorrect crosswind technique and the application of full right aileron. It is likely that the crew’s inexperience of landing in strong crosswinds contributed to the misalignment at touchdown. It is likely this application of right aileron was as a result of an inappropriate motor programme to steer the aircraft right. 

"Neither attempt at landing used the crosswind technique as laid down in the manufacturer’s and operator’s manuals."

The investigation concluded that it was "fortunate that the ground was hard", due to a lack of recent rain and that a taxiway was the only obstacle in the way of SE-MAO.

"As a result, despite a 450 metre excursion off the runway, there was no damage to the aircraft or the airport facilities, and no injuries to the crew who were the only people on board."

Pictured: Upon landing, the aircraft left the runway and continued on the airfield for around 450 metres before being corrected. 

As a result of the investigation, recurring simulator sessions across all the operator’s fleet were amended to include crosswind training. 

A crosswind limit has also been imposed on new co-pilots during their first year of operation on type. 

Pictured top: A still image of the aircraft's landing, captured and shared by 'Snugflug' on YouTube.