Description

On 23 July 2000, a Boeing 747-200 being operated by Royal Air Maroc on a scheduled passenger flight from New York to Montreal overran the temporarily restricted available landing runway length after the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently during a daylight landing with normal on-ground visibility. It struck barriers at the displaced runway end before stopping 215 metres further on. Shortly before it stopped, ATC observed flames coming out of the No. 2 engine and advised the flight crew and alerted the RFFS. However, no sustained fire developed and the aircraft was undamaged except for internal damage to the No 2 engine. No emergency evacuation was deemed necessary by the aircraft commander and there were no occupant or other injuries.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB). It was established that the crew were all familiar with operations at the airport, were aware of the reduced LDA of 2460 metres compared to the normal 3385 metres, had noted the presence of storm cell near the airport and had considered the consequent possibility of wind shear. The First Officer had been the PF and had made a firm touchdown at slightly higher speed than ideal about 520 metres from the runway threshold. Shortly before touchdown, the previously light and variable surface wind was found to have become stronger and more directionally-specific to give a tailwind component of up to 15 kts. The auto brake had been set to minimum contrary to the recommended ‘medium’ setting for wet or slippery conditions, when firm braking is needed and for any landing where the landing roll distance is limited.