Wirraway
15th Jul 2004, 19:08
Fri "The Australian"
Hazard review on approach
By Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
July 16, 2004
AN Airservices Australia review of airport hazard and weather alert procedures, ordered after a small airliner veered off a Queensland runway last year, is due for completion within weeks.
The review was ordered after an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found a Sunstate Airlines Dash-8 aircraft was not provided with enough information about potentially fatal weather conditions.
The Dash-8 from Brisbane met heavy rain and strong winds as it landed at Emerald in May, veering first off the right-hand side of the sealed runway and then the left.
The ATSB found the aircraft hit significant windshear accompanied by heavy rain before touchdown.
The downpour prevented the crew seeing the runway centreline and meant they were unable to steer the aircraft.
Investigators said the crew's decision to land was reasonable in the light of what they knew about the weather.
But extra information that could have helped the crew's decision was available from Airservices Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology and the aircraft's on-board weather radar.
While the crew did not refer to the weather radar during final approach, they were also not given relevant information about conditions which was available to Airservices and the bureau.
"The occurrence resulted in minor damage to the aircraft," investigators said.
Airservices spokesman Richard Dudley said it would take all measures necessary to ensure provision of the most timely and accurate weather information practicable while still recognising pilot responsibilities.
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Hazard review on approach
By Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
July 16, 2004
AN Airservices Australia review of airport hazard and weather alert procedures, ordered after a small airliner veered off a Queensland runway last year, is due for completion within weeks.
The review was ordered after an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found a Sunstate Airlines Dash-8 aircraft was not provided with enough information about potentially fatal weather conditions.
The Dash-8 from Brisbane met heavy rain and strong winds as it landed at Emerald in May, veering first off the right-hand side of the sealed runway and then the left.
The ATSB found the aircraft hit significant windshear accompanied by heavy rain before touchdown.
The downpour prevented the crew seeing the runway centreline and meant they were unable to steer the aircraft.
Investigators said the crew's decision to land was reasonable in the light of what they knew about the weather.
But extra information that could have helped the crew's decision was available from Airservices Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology and the aircraft's on-board weather radar.
While the crew did not refer to the weather radar during final approach, they were also not given relevant information about conditions which was available to Airservices and the bureau.
"The occurrence resulted in minor damage to the aircraft," investigators said.
Airservices spokesman Richard Dudley said it would take all measures necessary to ensure provision of the most timely and accurate weather information practicable while still recognising pilot responsibilities.
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