Analysis of the Overrun Incident Involving Air India Express IX 1344: An In-Depth Investigation

The incident involving Air India Express Flight IX 1344, often described as a 'crash', was not a traditional crash but rather an overrun of the runway which led to an uncontrolled slide into a sloped area. This event is largely misunderstood due to the terminology used, often leading to unnecessary panic and speculation. For a detailed investigation, one should refer to the official report that is waiting to be released.

Initial Conditions and Background

The Boeing 737 aircraft, code A-737, has a landing distance range of 1,500 to 2,250 meters after touchdown. The tabletop runway 10 at the location in question is 2,750 meters long. If the aircraft landed properly, there would be more than enough distance to stop in the runway. The touchdown occurred at approximately 1,000 meters, leaving an additional 1,750 meters of runway available, which is well within the stopping distance for the aircraft. Visibility was reported to be 2,000 meters, which is generally considered suitable for landing a Boeing 737 under most conditions, including visibility of 1 mile or 1,600 meters.

Crucial Factors Influencing the Landing

During the landing, the aircraft was traveling at 176 knots, which is about 326 km/h, at an altitude of around 140 meters above the runway. This speed, although not ideal, was still well within the acceptable range for landing on a wet runway in the prevailing weather conditions. The tailwind was recorded as 9 knots, a condition that is generally tolerable for a Boeing 737 both on wet and dry runways. The runway was not perfectly dry, which would allow for a higher tailwind tolerance of up to 35 knots.

Contributing Factors to the Overrun

The initial high-speed landing and touchdown after 1,000 meters may have been pilot errors, although this requires further investigation. Additional factors did not include weather conditions that would have necessitated an immediate go-around or diversion to another airport. These factors are:

Heavy Wetness and Runway Conditions: A wet runway can create unseen hazards that affect deceleration. Rubber deposits and incomplete surface water can play a significant role in stopping an aircraft. Unexpected Winds: Any gust that did not match the expected conditions could have contributed to the aircraft overrunning the runway. Pilot Decision: Although the runway and weather conditions seemed manageable, human error or miscalculation in the initial touchdown speed and timing could have contributed to the situation.

Conclusion

The prevailing conditions, while not ideal, did not warrant an immediate landing abandonment. The report and findings from the complete investigation, including data from CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) and FDR (Flight Data Recorder), will provide a definitive explanation for the overrun. Preliminary analysis suggests that weather and technical factors such as a possible wind gust or runway surface condition were the primary contributors to the overrun, rather than any fundamental safety flaw in the aircraft or the airport facilities.

This event underscores the importance of thorough pre-landing procedures and understanding of all variables that can affect aircraft performance, including pilot judgment, runway conditions, and unexpected weather changes. It also highlights the critical role of proper training and adherence to safety protocols in ensuring the safety of air travel.

Keywords

Air India Express IX 1344 Overrun Incident Flight Safety Analysis