The Aurigny ATR after it ran off the runway at Bristol International Airport in 2006. (Picture by Michael Ozanne).

THE decision to land in crosswinds above the aircraft’s operational limit was a contributory factor to the incident in which an Aurigny ATR ran off the runway at Bristol International Airport in December 2006.

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch report puts most of the blame on the wet runway which had a temporary surface.

But the crew of the Aurigny aircraft landed in a 34-knot crosswind when the aircraft’s operating manual states that in wet conditions it should not do so in winds above 25 knots.

The report said that the tower controller had given the correct wind information in the final broadcast before touchdown.

‘Both pilots recalled hearing a final wind check of 190°/24kt, which suggests that they either misheard the last broadcast or missed the last three,’ said the report.

‘This factor should serve to highlight to flight crews the need for great care in accurately determining the crosswind prior to take-off or landing.’

The report also criticises the flight crew for the use of reverse thrust when they realised that the aircraft was leaving the runway.