A plane suffered damage after crashing into a runway light at East Midlands Airport (EMA). An investigation found that although a crosswind played a part in the incident, the flight crew could have done more to avoid impact.
The collision happened on Tuesday, October 25 last year when when the ATR 72 G-CLNK turboprop plane landed following its flight from Jersey Airport, Leicestershire Live reports. The plane did reach the runway at around 8.30pm without problem at first after it encountered a "light crosswind" on the approach to EMA.
But investigators at the Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) found that after all wheels were safely on the tarmac, the pilot put the plane into “ground idle” mode but the turboprop suddenly swerved to the right as it decelerated down the runway. The co-pilot took control of the situation, but could not avoid the plane colliding with a runway light, causing a “spark” to be seen under the plane.
