AAIB investigation to Short Bros SD3-60, N915GD
Runway undershoot at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, British Virgin Islands, 6 November 2024
On arrival at Terrance B Lettsome International Airport (TUPJ) in the British Virgin Islands, N915GD was likely affected by nearby thunderstorm activity, reportedly experiencing a downdraught on short finals. Despite the commander applying more power to “arrest the descent”, the aircraft initially touched down on the lip of Runway 07 (Rwy 07), approximately 150 m short of the threshold. It then bounced and touched down again close to the threshold. The airfield operations team later found a frangible runway light had been damaged by the aircraft when it undershot the runway.
While he knew the aircraft initially touched down in the undershoot, the commander was unaware that it had struck the light and did not file an occurrence report. The aircraft returned to its home base approximately one hour later.
An initial incorrect assessment of the severity of this incident, contributed to a delay in this serious incident being notified to the AAIB. This delay, combined with a paucity of information about the circumstances and handling of the event, made it difficult for the investigation to gain a detailed understanding of what had happened. It is unclear whether the undershoot resulted from the commander attempting to rescue an unstable approach or whether his application of power was the initiation of an unsuccessful go-around.
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