Runway excursions (REs) are among the most common event categories of accidents in air transport operations. According to the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA’s) latest safety review, “There were 100 runway excursion accidents and serious incidents at EASA aerodromes between 2008 and 2012.”
These are events in which an aircraft either veers off the runway surface or overruns the end of the runway. Most REs are caused by improper approaches that lead to aircraft control issues after touchdown.
The threshold crossing height, airspeed, descent rate and angle on the approach are usually involved. Sometimes strong, gusty crosswinds, tail wind and/or runway friction are involved (ASW, 7/13, p. 43). Once the aircraft touches down, its deceleration capability and flight crew actions also play a role. So most REs are associated with multiple factors.
If you change one factor, an RE might be avoided. Runway conditions, although not a primary cause of REs, are often a c…
