Description

On 31 January 2008 a Saab 340B being operated by Czech airline Job Air on a scheduled passenger service from Helsinki to Lappeenranta under a wet lease contract for a Company called ‘Fly Lappeenranta’ which was not an aircraft operator. During the night landing at Lappeenranta, it departed the left side of the runway after touch down in normal visibility with snow falling. Propeller damage was caused when an attempt was then made to return the aircraft to the runway after the excursion. None of the 16 occupants was injured.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Accident Investigation Board Finland. It was found that the First Officer had been PF for the approach and landing. There was a light (5 knot) crosswind from the right, there were no runway centre line lights and approximately 10 mm of fresh snow covered the 33 metre cleared width of the 60 metre wide runway and obscured the centre line markings. The diagram below taken from the official Report shows the disposition of snow on the runway. ATC informed the approaching aircraft that the estimated braking action was poor but did not mention the restricted runway width or the snow banks.