A dramatic runway excursion at Guernsey Airport has prompted crucial safety changes after an aircraft overshot the end of Runway 27 on April 23rd. The incident involved a De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited DHC-8, registration 9H-LWB, which was returning from London Gatwick and touched down two-thirds of the way along its length before sliding to a stop.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch's (AAIB) report highlights the commander's attempt at a gentle touchdown resulted in the aircraft floating before making late contact with the runway. Miraculously, no one on board was injured, and the plane itself sustained no damage. The flight was operating under a 'wet lease' agreement, where one airline provides an aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance to another.
Both lessee and lessor organisations involved have swiftly made adjustments to their safety management systems following this serious incident. Two key measures have been implemented: the lessee has improved its understanding of flights operating under wet lease contracts, while the Channel Islands Director of Civil Aviation has introduced an 'Augmented Review of Foreign Carrier Permit (FCP) Applications' specifically for wet lease operations in the Channel Islands.
The investigation also recommended that emergency checklists be relocated within the DHC-8 Quick Reference Handbook, suggesting a potential area for improvement in operational safety documentation. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent safety protocols in aviation.