Incident Overview

Date: Monday 9 February 1998
Aircraft Type: Shorts 360-100
Owner/operator: British Regional Airlines
Registration Number: G-BLGB
Location: Stornoway Airport (SYY) – ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 30
Component Affected: Aircraft Control System (specifically, the pilot?s visual navigation and control systems)Aircraft Control System (specifically, the pilot?s visual navigation and control systems)
Investigating Agency: AAIBAAIB
Category: Accident
A Shorts 360 aircraft experienced a significant loss of control during a final approach to Stornoway, Vermont, due to deteriorating weather conditions. The pilot initiated a visual approach, which was subsequently halted due to visibility issues and the appearance of patchy cloud. Despite a visual contact with the runway, the pilot determined to continue visually, resulting in a descent and flaps setting. A ‘bang’ was reported, leading to a left-side slewing and damage to the aircraft. The incident concluded with the aircraft being considered beyond repair and broken up in Exeter.A Shorts 360 aircraft experienced a significant loss of control during a final approach to Stornoway, Vermont, due to deteriorating weather conditions. The pilot initiated a visual approach, which was subsequently halted due to visibility issues and the appearance of patchy cloud. Despite a visual contact with the runway, the pilot determined to continue visually, resulting in a descent and flaps setting. A ‘bang’ was reported, leading to a left-side slewing and damage to the aircraft. The incident concluded with the aircraft being considered beyond repair and broken up in Exeter.

Description

The Shorts 360 departed Benbecula for the final leg of the day to Stornoway. Weather at Stornoway was report as: wind 260ø/ 08 kt, visibility 15 km in light drizzle, cloud few at 800 feet and broken at 1,400 feet agl, temperature plus 7øC and QNH 1002 mb. The captain then briefed for a NDB/DME approach for runway 36. The initial approach was normal and the crew were VMC at a range of approximately 8 nm from the airfield. At this stage the captain was certain of his geographical position and, with the agreement of his first officer, decided to continue visually. Although they were in sight of the surface, there appeared to be some patchy cloud in the direction of the airfield and neither pilot could see the runway. Descent was continued and flaps set to 15 degrees. At that point the flight was level at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) of 430 feet amsl. Visual contact with the runway was acquired and the PAPI showed four whites. The captain considered going around, but, considering the length of Stornoway runway (7218 feet / 2200 m), decided to land. Full flaps were selected. On finals the speed fluctuated between +10 and -5 relating to the 103 kts landing speed. Touchdown was ‘firm’. The crew heard a ‘bang’ and the left side of the aircraft went down. The airplane slewed to the left. The aircraft was considered damaged beyond repair and broken up at Exeter in March 1999. The AAIB did not conduct a full formal investigation. The AAIB Bulletin report did not contain a Probable Cause.

Primary Cause

Weather conditions ? particularly reduced visibility and patchy cloud ? created a hazardous environment for visual navigation and control.Weather conditions ? particularly reduced visibility and patchy cloud ? created a hazardous environment for visual navigation and control.

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