Executive summary
On Friday 16 August 1996 at 1250 hours, shortly after Fairchild SA 227-AC, ZK-OAA touched down at Gisborne Aerodrome, it swerved to the right. The pilot was able to regain control but when he engaged reverse thrust, the aircraft swung to the right a second time and the pilot was unable to prevent the aircraft veering off the runway onto the adjacent grass area. The aircraft sustained minor damage and there were no injuries to the two pilots or the 14 passengers.
The causal factors were not identified.
The safety deficiencies identified in this incident were; the permissive operation of scheduled passenger services into aerodromes with no rescue fire services, lack of more effective rescue fire services facilities at some aerodromes used by scheduled passenger services, the lack of guidance in the New Zealand Aeronautical Information Publication on the meaning of the rescue fire services facilities provided at aerodromes and the inaccuracy of some of the information provided on rescue fire services facilities and the inadequacy of checks to confirm the serviceability of flight data recorders.
Related Recommendations
Clarify the level of rescue and fire fighting protection required for the categories of domestic aerodromes described in the NZAIP, and its relationship to the categories of rescue fire services listed on the landing charts.
Review the adequacy of the RFS services provided at the aerodromes into which they operate scheduled passenger services.
Take immediate steps to ensure the continued serviceability of the flight recorders fitted to their aircraft.
Take immediate steps to review CAA policy of permitting companies to operate scheduled passenger services into uncertificated aerodromes with aircraft having up to 30 passenger seats.
Review the relevance and accuracy of the RFS information given on each landing chart in the NZAIP.
Advise that the fire extinguishers which are provided are available to any person in an emergency.
Take immediate steps to review the adequacy of the RFS service provided at Gisborne Aerodrome for the scheduled passenger service aircraft presently operating into Gisborne Aerodrome.
Specify the relationship between the categories of rescue fire services listed on the NZAIP landing charts and those listed in CAR 139.