Investigation number
AO-2012-107
Occurrence date
Location
Urapunga (ALA)
State
Northern Territory
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Short
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Weather - Other
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

On 23 August 2012 at 1733 Central Standard Time, a Cessna 210N, registered VH-WPD, departed Numbulwar for Urapunga, Northern Territory, on a charter passenger flight with the pilot and two passengers on-board. The pilot reported intermittent sun glare during descent to Urapunga, when at 3 NM for runway 28. On late final the sun glare on the windscreen greatly restricting visibility. During the flare, the pilot identified a runway edge marker in line with the nose of the aircraft. The pilot manoeuvered the aircraft back in line with the centre of the runway and the aircraft continued to float down above the runway.

The sun glare increasingly restricted visibility during the landing. The aircraft touched down and the pilot applied heavy braking in short bursts. The aircraft departed the end of the runway and travelled through two fences before coming to a stop. The pilot and two passengers evacuated the aircraft. The pilot received minor injuries and the two passengers were uninjured.

The operator has indicated that during pilot training greater emphasis will be placed on go-around procedures and identify situations when it would be used; particularly during training increase awareness to consider the planning of circuit entry and ensure a backup is considered if conditions are not what was expected; and go-around procedures are practiced during in command under supervision (ICUS) training.

The accident highlights the importance of the identification of approach and landing hazards, decision making when a hazard becomes evident, recognition of a destabilised approach and being go-around prepared and go-around minded.

Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin - Issue 16

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
210
Registration
VH-WPD
Serial number
21063998
Operation type
Charter
Departure point
Numbulwar, NT
Destination
Urapunga, NT