L2012-08 Airliner Veering Off the Runway during the Landing Roll at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport on 19 August 2012

A serious incident occurred at Helsinki-Vantaa airport on 19 August 2012 at 3.42. An ATR type twin-engine airliner was on scheduled flight from Tampere-Pirkkala airport to Helsinki-Vantaa. There were 27 passengers and four members of the aircrew on board.

Limiting Unit (TLU), which limits rudder deflection, malfunctioned and the flight crew did not select LO SPD on the TLU’s standby system. Since the normal landing criteria provided by the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) for a TLU FAIL situation were met the captain decided to continue the approach and land on. Upon touchdown the captain noticed that the rudder pedals felt as if they were stuck. Since rudder authority was unavailable, the aircraft veered off the runway onto the shoulder strip during the landing roll. The captain, using nose wheel steering, managed to steer the aircraft back onto the runway. The serious incident did not result in any injuries to persons or damage to runway equipment. The aircraft sustained minor damage which was repaired by Flybe Finland Oy’s maintenance organisation, Finnish Aircraft Maintenance (FAM), during the subsequent inspection and maintenance.

Safety Investigation Authority, Finland issued four recommendations. Three of them pertained to further clarifying the ATR´s Travel limiting uni-related instructions. One recommendation related to ensuring sufficient quality for ATR operations theoretical instruction and simulator training as regards TLU systems and TLU Fail situations.

Additional Information
Chief Air Safety Investigator
Ismo Aaltonen
tel. 02951 50703

L2012-08 Report (pdf, 1.02 Mt)