Investigation Complete into Casair Metro II VH-OGX Runway Excursion at Archerfield After Flight from Biloela / Thangool Airport

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has completed its investigation into the occurrence involving a Fairchild SA226 Metro II, VH-OGX, at Archerfield Airport, Queensland, on Thursday 23 January 2014.

The Metro - operated by Casair (Complete Aviation Services) - had earlier departed Biloela / Thangool Airport on a charter flight to Archerfield.

The ATSB report indicates that the pilot received the current Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) for Archerfield, which indicated cloud at 800ft and that the runway was ‘wet’.

It reports that "The pilot commenced an instrument approach to Archerfield. Approaching the western boundary of the aerodrome, the pilot sighted the runway and circled at 900ft above ground level before approaching to land on runway 10 Left. When lined up on final, the aircraft was to the right of the extended runway centreline and the pilot elected to conduct a go-around."

"The second circle was still tight, due to low cloud to the west of the runway, and the pilot reported that the aircraft was about 30 to 50m right of the extended runway centreline when on final. It was raining heavily as the aircraft touched down close to the runway centreline and about 300m beyond the runway threshold. The pilot reported that as the wheels touched down, the aircraft commenced sliding towards the right, possibly due to aquaplaning. The aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and onto the grass. The aircraft then slid along the runway and veered off to the left side. The left main landing gear entered the grass and the aircraft came to rest at an angle to the runway."

"A runway inspection revealed standing water on the right side of the runway near the threshold."

The photos below are from the ATSB report and were supplied to the ATSB by the operator.

In concluding, the ATSB recommends that the incident highlights the importance of conducting a go-around as soon as landing conditions appear unfavourable.