Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 28 October 1997
Aircraft Type: Fairchild FH-227D
Owner/operator: Aerogal – Aerolineas Galapagos
Registration Number: HC-BUF
Location: Ambato-Chachoan Airport (ATF) –
ÿ Ecuador
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7
Component Affected: HC-BUF aircraftHC-BUF aircraft
Category: Accident
A Fairchild HC-BUF aircraft experienced a serious incident during a provisional operations base landing at Ambato. The aircraft approached at excessive speed, resulting in a late touchdown and a significant runway overrun. Poor preparation, including incorrect approach and landing speeds, and inadequate documentation, contributed to the incident.A Fairchild HC-BUF aircraft experienced a serious incident during a provisional operations base landing at Ambato. The aircraft approached at excessive speed, resulting in a late touchdown and a significant runway overrun. Poor preparation, including incorrect approach and landing speeds, and inadequate documentation, contributed to the incident.
Description
Fairchild HC-BUF was carrying company staff and equipment to the provisional operations base at Ambato. The approach was flown at 100 knots (12 knots too fast). Touchdown was very late, with just 900 m of runway remaining. Ground fine pitch was selected, but this did not work; the aircraft overran the runway by 170 m and fell into a 90 m deep ravine. It appeared that flight preparation had been poor (the co-pilot did not calculate the approach and landing speeds, and the captain did not know the exact landing weight). Furthermore, Aerogal had not prepared documentation required for the operations at Ambato and failed to train its personnel in the airport’s characteristics and special features.
Primary Cause
Poor flight preparation, specifically incorrect approach and landing speeds, and inadequate documentation regarding aircraft characteristics and airport procedures.Poor flight preparation, specifically incorrect approach and landing speeds, and inadequate documentation regarding aircraft characteristics and airport procedures.Share on:
