An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation into an Airvan over-running the runway on landing has found rushed preparations were a key factor.

 

The GA-8 also touched down 300 metres further down the runway than intended, damaging the plane.

 

The investigation concluded an emergency radio beacon positioned near the pilot’s right hip prevented the flap lever from being fully extended and also that the pilot did not apply maximum braking. Neither the pilot nor seven passengers were injured in the incident on East Wallabi Island, off the mid west coast of Western Australia.

 

The ATSB says that on 26 December 2021, the Geraldton Air Charter-operated GA-8 Airvan was flying from Geraldton.

While initially planning for six passengers, the pilot decided to add a seventh from another flight shortly before departure and later reported this rearrangement resulted in rushed preparations.

 

Earlier in the day, the pilot had flown a Cessna 172 with a personal emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) device positioned on his right hip.

 

The pilot knew the EPIRB’s positioning on the right hip could prevent the full extension of the Airvan’s flap lever – which sits to the right of the pilot’s seat – but forgot to move the EPIRB to the left hip during the rushed flight preparations.

 

This affected the final approach.