Prevent runway excursion in crosswind

SEVERAL EVENTS, ONE SIGNATURE

 

 

18 reported runway excursions at landing over the last 5 years, in crosswind conditions

 

Common characteristics from in-service lateral runway excursion events:

  • Crosswind component between 10 and 20 kts
  • A/C aligned or aligning with QFU on touch down
  • Release of the rudder input down wind and the A/C nose turns into the wind due to weather cock effect
  • Rudder correction down wind (full deflection) to re-align nose with QFU (HDG overshoots QFU)
  • Rudder correction upwind (mostly full deflection) > A/C excursion in upwind direction

 

RUDDER DEFLECTION
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MAGNETIC HEADING
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ATR PUBLICATIONS

2014: Safety Note

Be Prepared for Crosswind landing

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2016: FOIM

FOIM 2016/6 Crosswind landing

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FLIGHT CONTROL INPUTS DURING THE LANDING ROLL

ELEVATOR
“During the landing roll, the pilot flying holds the control column in nose down position to increase directional efficiency, maintaining aileron input into the wind.”
AILERON
“ …the pilot flying must gradually increase the aileron input into the wind (up to maximum deflection if necessary).”
RUDDER
“ Rudder pedals shall be initially used to keep the airplane on runway axis and any heading deviation must be corrected smoothly…. Over- corrections may lead to pilot induced oscillations.”

 

and… “ use brake to minimize landing roll ”

RUDDER INPUT

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Crosswind landing events analysis:

Various simulations performed

  • correction in upwind direction requires less effort than in downwind direction. An equal effort will have a stronger effect upwind.
  • Just releasing the downwind input without applying a force in upwind direction will lead to a rudder deflection in upwind side – allowing heading corrections only through downwind pedal movements

Right crosswind landing with high upwind correction

Right crosswind landing with no upwind correction

KEY MESSAGES

Crosswind landing events analysis:

Various simulations performed

  • Review and brief crosswind landing technique for the decrab, flare and landing roll, prior to the approach (TEM);
  • After touchdown, hold the control column nose down to increase directional efficiency;
  • Maintain aileron input into the wind. Gradually increase it as airspeed decreases;
  • Correct heading deviation smoothly, using the rudder above 70 kt and progressively the tiller below 70 kt;
  • Rudder correction upwind shall be very smooth and progressive. Most of the time, gently reducing/adjusting the rudder input downwind is enough to correct heading deviation downwind;
  • Use brake to minimize landing roll.

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

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Prevent runway excursion during landing roll in crosswind conditions

1 file(s) 1.21 MB
Download pdf version

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Safety Note Be prepared for XWind landing

1 file(s) 2.77 MB
Download

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FOIM 2016/6 Crosswind landing

1 file(s) 1.47 MB
Download

VIDEO PRESENTATION

See the conference in video
by Marion Choudet : Prevent runway excursion in crosswind
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