Overview
On October 23, 2022, a Korean Air Airbus A330-300, registration HL7525, performing flight KE-631 from Incheon (Seoul), South Korea, to Cebu, Philippines, overran Runway 22 at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (RPVM) during its fifth landing attempt in adverse weather conditions. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including nose gear collapse and structural penetration into the cockpit area. All 173 occupants (162 passengers and 11 crew) safely evacuated without injuries.
Incident Summary
Flight and Weather Conditions
The flight was conducted under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), with heavy rain, gusting winds, and low visibility affecting the approaches. The pilot-in-command (PIC) was the pilot flying (PF) at the time of the accident. Weather conditions prompted a runway change from Runway 04 to Runway 22 during the initial approach.
Sequence of Events
1. First Approach: The aircraft attempted to land on Runway 22 but performed a go-around due to heavy rain and poor visibility.
2. Second Approach: After descending below minimums, the aircraft experienced wind shear and an aural “sink rate” warning, prompting another go-around. During this go-around, the landing gear briefly contacted the ground, leading to warnings of faults in the Landing Gear Control Interface Units (LGCIU 1 and 2).
3. Holding Pattern and Troubleshooting: The crew entered a holding pattern over ALMAR to perform ECAM and QRH procedures for the LGCIU faults. They subsequently noted faults in the Brake Servo Control Interface Units (BSCIU 1 and 2).
4. Third and Fourth Approaches: Both attempts were abandoned as the crew dealt with additional complications, including incomplete gear indications and HYD B reservoir low-level warnings. Manual gravity extension procedures were partially successful, illuminating only two gear down indicators (nose and left main landing gear), while the right main gear indicator remained unlit.
5. Fifth Approach and Landing: The aircraft touched down on Runway 22 at 23:07L (15:07Z). However, the braking system failed to function effectively, and the aircraft overran the runway at approximately 80 knots. It came to rest 235 meters past the runway end after colliding with the localizer antenna and approach lighting system.
Technical Findings
Landing Gear System
• LGCIU Faults: Malfunctioning LGCIUs disrupted landing gear control and indication systems, complicating gear extension and creating uncertainty about gear status.
• BSCIU Faults: Hydraulic system B, which powers the brakes, failed due to a low fluid level, rendering braking systems inoperative.
Environmental and Operational Factors
• Weather Conditions: Heavy rain, turbulence, and wind shear created challenging landing conditions, requiring multiple go-arounds.
• Runway Conditions: Wet runway surfaces likely reduced friction, exacerbating braking inefficiency.
• Aircraft Weight: The aircraft landed with a higher-than-optimal landing weight due to fuel reserves accumulated during the extended holding pattern.
Damage Assessment
• Aircraft: Substantial damage included:
• Collapse of the nose gear.
• Structural damage to the nose and cockpit areas.
• Penetration of the fuselage skin.
• Destruction of the localizer antenna and approach lighting system.
• Infrastructure: The localizer antenna and portions of the approach lighting system for Runway 22 were destroyed.
Safety Measures and Crew Actions
• Crew Performance: The crew successfully managed complex failures and adverse conditions, ensuring the safe evacuation of all occupants. However, misjudgments in the decision-making process, particularly regarding the fifth approach, may have contributed to the overrun.
• Evacuation: The evacuation was efficiently conducted using the L2 and R2 slide rafts, with all passengers and crew accounted for within minutes of the aircraft coming to rest.
Recommendations
Aircraft Systems
1. Enhanced Redundancy in LGCIU and BSCIU Systems: Airbus and operators should evaluate the design and redundancy of critical control systems to prevent simultaneous failures.
2. Hydraulic System Monitoring: Improved real-time monitoring of hydraulic fluid levels and redundancy in braking systems should be considered.
Pilot Training
1. Adverse Weather Approaches: Reinforce simulator training for decision-making during multiple go-arounds in challenging weather conditions.
2. Manual Gear Extension Procedures: Enhance training for manual gear extension and associated troubleshooting.
Airport Infrastructure
1. Runway Safety Areas (RSAs): Extend RSAs at airports prone to adverse weather to mitigate the consequences of overruns.
2. Weather Information Systems: Upgrade real-time weather monitoring and dissemination systems for both ground and air crews.
Conclusion
The Korean Air A330-300 accident at Cebu highlights the challenges of managing simultaneous system failures in adverse weather. While the crew’s efforts ensured the safety of all occupants, the incident underscores the need for improved system redundancies, training, and airport infrastructure. The investigation remains ongoing, with further analysis of data from the aircraft’s flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) expected to yield additional insights.
Disclaimer
This report is based on all the evidence and facts available at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we apologise if any details are missed or are not fully accurate. If you are the rightful owner of the photo and wish it to be taken down, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.
