Lack of awareness of strong tailwinds resulted in a Fokker 50 crew attempting a late, steep descent into Groningen airport which resulted in the turboprop overrunning the runway by 60m.
While the 1,800m (5,900ft) Runway 23 had been in use, the VLM aircraft, arriving from Amsterdam, was positioned such that the opposite-direction Runway 05 was more convenient.
Meteorological information showed a variable surface wind of 10kt (18km/h), the maximum tailwind component for the type.
But evidence from the Dutch Safety Board shows the Fokker was actually affected by a 40kt component. This left the crew attempting an approach without having stabilised the aircraft. Although the flight began its descent 30nm (55km) from the airport, it reached its cleared level of 2,000ft just 5nm from the runway - half the distance normally expected - and had already passed the point for starting a 3° final glidepath.
By the time the aircraft began its final descent, its proximity to the runway required a glidepath of 10°. The board says the pilots' familiarity with London City airport's steep approach may have dulled their perception of the situation.
The aircraft touched down on its nose-wheel at 118kt, 890m from the far end of the runway, leaving it unable to brake until the main gear made initial contact 400m further on during the 18 May 2007 incident. None of the 11 passengers and three crew was injured.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
