Date: 22nd December 2024
Location: Belfast City Airport, Northern Ireland, UK
Aircraft: ATR-72-212A, registration G-CMMK
Operator: Emerald Airlines UK
Flight Number: EA-71P
Route: Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) to Belfast City, Northern Ireland (BHD)
Occupants: 4 crew members
Injuries: None reported
Summary of Events
On 22nd December 2024, Emerald Airlines Flight EA-71P, a positioning flight from Edinburgh to Belfast City, encountered adverse weather conditions during its approach. The ATR-72-212A landed hard on Runway 04, striking nose gear first. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse, and the aircraft came to rest near the right-hand edge of the runway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the four crew members on board. However, the aircraft sustained substantial structural damage, and the airport closed the runway for the remainder of the day.
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) dispatched investigators to the site and opened a formal investigation.
Sequence of Events
1. Approach Phase:
• Flight EA-71P was on final approach to Belfast City Airport’s Runway 04 under adverse weather conditions, including reported gusty winds.
2. Hard Landing:
• The aircraft touched down hard, with the nose gear making first contact with the runway surface. The force of the impact led to the collapse of the nose landing gear.
3. Runway Occupation:
• The aircraft came to a stop near the right-hand edge of Runway 04. Emergency services responded immediately.
4. Post-Incident Actions:
• The crew safely evacuated the aircraft, and no injuries were reported. Airport authorities closed the runway for the rest of the day to facilitate investigation and recovery operations.
Aircraft Details
• Type: ATR-72-212A
• Registration: G-CMMK
• Configuration: Freighter (positioning flight with no passengers)
The ATR-72 is a twin-turboprop regional aircraft designed for short-haul flights. It is widely used for passenger and cargo operations due to its versatility and performance in challenging conditions.
Initial Findings
1. Hard Landing Dynamics:
• The nose-first touchdown indicates potential deviations from standard landing procedures or challenges posed by weather conditions.
2. Adverse Weather Conditions:
• Gusty winds and potential turbulence may have contributed to the hard landing. The AAIB will analyse meteorological data for the time of the incident.
3. Structural Damage:
• The aircraft sustained significant damage to its nose section and potentially other structural components due to the nose gear collapse.
Safety Implications
1. Weather Challenges:
• The incident underscores the importance of precise handling during adverse weather approaches, particularly in aircraft with a high wing design like the ATR-72.
2. Crew Decision-Making:
• The crew’s approach strategy and landing execution will be scrutinised to determine whether procedural adjustments could have mitigated the outcome.
3. Runway Closure Impact:
• The closure of Belfast City’s Runway 04 highlights the operational challenges airports face following incidents involving large aircraft.
Recommendations
1. Pilot Training:
• Reinforce training for handling adverse weather conditions and executing go-arounds in challenging scenarios.
2. Aircraft Inspection:
• Conduct thorough structural assessments of the ATR-72 fleet to ensure there are no systemic vulnerabilities in the nose gear design.
3. Weather Monitoring:
• Enhance forecasting and real-time communication of adverse weather conditions to improve situational awareness for flight crews.
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Our investigation reports are based on all the evidence and facts we have at the time of writing and posting. We apologise if any details are missed or are not fully accurate.
