A recent investigation revealed that an aircraft, a Challenger 604, suffered damage during a landing attempt at Stansted Airport. The flight from Egypt, with two crew members and two passengers, encountered challenging conditions in Essex on January 31, 2022.
The pilot, contending with strong crosswinds, allowed the left wingtip to strike the runway multiple times. Despite no injuries, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) highlighted that the pilot had the option to delay the flight or choose an alternative airport based on the forecasted crosswind at Stansted before departure from Cairo.
During the landing, an “excessive angle of attack” led to wingtip damage, and the aircraft subsequently bounced on its nosewheel and landing gears. The pilot and co-pilot, both fatigued after being awake for 17 hours or longer due to delays, experienced a “higher than normal workload” dealing with turbulence and a nervous passenger. The strained relations between the pilots, attributed to differences in communication style, were noted by the AAIB.
While the pilot suggested another attempt at Stansted, the co-pilot recommended seeking an airport with less crosswind. Following air traffic control instructions, the jet diverted to Gatwick, where it landed without incident. However, the inspection revealed irreparable damage to the nosewheel and left wingtip.
The AAIB report emphasized that while fatigue alone was unlikely to have caused the accident, it, along with commercial pressures and strained interactions, could have influenced the pilot’s decision-making and communication. The investigation also disclosed that the aircraft manufacturer intends to enhance guidance on crosswind landing techniques based on these findings.
