Oil Leak, High Landing Speed Were Factors in Runway Overrun During Emergency Landing in Timmins, Ontario

TORONTO, March 14, 2013 /CNW/ - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its investigation report (A12O0005) into the 15 January 2012 runway overrun at the Timmins, Ontario, airport by a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft operated by Air Bravo Corporation.

The aircraft was on a flight from Hornepayne, Ontario, to Timmins with 2 pilots and a flight paramedic on board. About 60 nautical miles from the Timmins Airport, at an altitude of 15 000 feet, the aircraft's engine's torque gauge (an instrument used to set engine power) was indicating below the normal operating range. A few minutes later, the crew observed a series of oil pressure warning lights as well as oil on the windscreen. The flight crew reduced engine power, declared an emergency, and requested a straight-in approach to Runway 10 at Timmins. The aircraft touched down one-third of the way down the runway, became airborne again, and then touched down approximately 1200 feet beyond the runway end. There were no injuries, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.

TSB investigators found that a nut on an oil line had become loose, causing a complete loss of engine oil during the flight. The nut had not been secured with a secondary locking device, nor had it been painted to provide a visual indication that it was loose.

Following the oil loss, the crew concentrated on landing as soon as possible. The crew chose to land on Runway 10, which was directly in front of them, rather than the longer Runway 21, for which winds were more favourable. The aircraft landed at a higher-than-normal speed, and applying full braking without engine reverse was not sufficient to stop it before the runway end.

Following the accident, Air Bravo developed new flight operations and maintenance procedures to reduce the risks identified in this investigation. Maintenance now requires all fasteners without secondary locking devices to be tightened to standard torque values; it also requires fasteners to be painted so that it is easy to see whether or not they have loosened. In addition, the flight operations department has scripted a scenario for simulator training to mirror the conditions of this occurrence.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

SOURCE: Transportation Safety Board of Canada

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