D328, Sumburgh Shetland Islands UK, 2017

D328, Sumburgh Shetland Islands UK, 2017

Summary

On 26 January 2017, an EASA Test Pilot carrying out certification test flying to extend the Dornier 328's maximum demonstrated crosswind was unable to retain control during an intended full stop landing on runway 09 at Sumburgh and it departed the side of the runway onto soft ground and stopped abruptly. The Investigation noted the Test Pilot's total type experience was the three circuits immediately prior to the excursion and attributed it to inappropriate flight control inputs and power lever movements. Intervention on the power levers by the aircraft commander had not been enough to prevent the excursion.

Description

On 26 January 2017, a Dornier 328 (D-CTRJ) being operated by 328 Support Services out of Sumburgh on a certification test flight with an EASA Test Pilot flying the aircraft departed the right hand side of runway 09 during an attempted crosswind landing in normal daylight visibility with a crosswind from the right. It was observed to come quickly to a stop in soft ground once it had left the runway and was undamaged, and the four occupants were uninjured.

The right main landing gear lifting off the runway soon after touchdown. [Reproduced from the Official Report]

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the UK AAIB with the assistance of downloaded recorded flight data. It was found that the 64 year-old aircraft Captain had accumulated 10,379 total flying hours which included 4,035 hours on type. The EASA Test Pilot, who was acting as PF and occupying the left hand pilot seat, had only 30 minutes type experience, all obtained during the circuit flying detail which culminated in the excursion.

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