Runway Overrun Incident Linked to Rushed Flight and Competitive Landing, NTSB Report Reveals

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has unveiled its conclusive findings on a runway overrun incident involving a Gulfstream G150 aircraft at Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1) in South Carolina on May 5, 2021. Despite the considerable damage to the Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.-registered G150, both crewmembers and three passengers escaped injury.

As per the NTSB report, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured conversations that suggest the pilot in command (PIC) was eager to expedite the flight and arrive ahead of another aircraft at the destination. The PIC’s intent was evident when responding to a passenger’s query about the estimated time of arrival, stating, “I’ll speed up. I’ll go real fast here.”

Throughout the flight from New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport (KEVB) in Florida to Ridgeland, discussions between the crewmembers revolved around strategies to reduce flight duration. Notably, they also mentioned another aircraft bound for 3J1.

During the approach to land on Runway 36 at Ridgeland, the CVR detected multiple “sink rate” and “pull-up” warnings, indicating an unstable approach. Despite these signals, the landing was attempted. The aircraft touched down around 1,000 feet into the 4,200-foot runway. However, it failed to halt, overran the runway, and came to a stop in a marshy area approximately 400 feet past the runway’s end.

The NTSB’s investigation identified the crew’s persistence with an unstable approach and the failure of ground air brakes to deploy upon landing as the primary contributors to the runway overrun. The incident also highlighted the crew’s motivation to satisfy external pressures, striving to complete the flight swiftly to accommodate passenger preferences. Additionally, the decision to land with a quartering tailwind exceeding the aircraft’s limits played a role in the event.

The NTSB’s report underscores the critical importance of adhering to safe landing practices and maintaining stable approaches, particularly when external factors come into play. The incident serves as a reminder that safety should remain paramount, even in the face of time constraints and competitive pressures.