Expressjet E145 at Akron/Canton on Mar 18th 2011, runway excursion

Last Update: December 6, 2014 / 15:28:11 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Expressjet N11187, Embraer ERJ-145 — Expressjet N11187, Embraer ERJ-145 (Photo credit: airlines470 / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Mar 18, 2011

Classification
Incident

Cause
Runway excursion

Airline
Expressjet

Flight number
XE-5916

Departure
Chicago O'Hare, United States

Destination
Akron/Canton, United States

Aircraft Registration
N11187

Aircraft Type
Embraer ERJ-145

ICAO Type Designator
E145

Airport
Akron Canton Regional Airport, Akron

Airport ICAO Code
KCAK

An Expressjet Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of United Airlines, registration N11187 performing flight XE-5916/UA-5916 (dep Mar 17th) from Chicago O'Hare,IL to Akron/Canton,OH (USA) with 43 passengers and 3 crew, concluded a visual approach via a right hand pattern landing on Akron/Canton's runway 23 at 00:10L (04:10Z) but veered left off the runway and came to a stop about 200 feet (60 meters) off the left edge of the runway just short of turn off F2 (about 5200 feet/1600 meters down from the runway threshold) with all gear on soft ground. No injuries occurred, there is no word on the damage of the aircraft. The passengers disembarked onto the grass and were bussed to the terminal.

Both runways were temporarily closed until runway 01/19 could be re-opened following a runway inspection. Runway 05/23 remained closed.

Passengers reported the airplane didn't appear to slow down after touch down.

The airport reported the runway was dry at the time of the incident.

The NTSB reported on Apr 21st 2011 that the landing was uneventful until the touch down of the nose gear, at which the airplane made an uncommanded left turn that the pilots were unable to correct. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway pavement before coming to a stop.

On Dec 6th 2014 the NTSB released their factual report stating that the crew performed a visual approach backed by instruments to Akron's runway 23. During the approach the captain's approach plate book slid off the side of the bracket and onto his lap, he took the book and tossed it out of the way, the book came to rest on the flight bag behind and to the left of his seat. The NTSB summarized: "He said that at some point it may have been in the area of the nosewheel tiller control but was not on the tiller, and that it was clear of the tiller before the airplane exited the runway." and continued summarizing the first officer's testimony: "The first officer reported that after touchdown, the captain lowered the nosewheel slowly and the airplane started to go to the left immediately. He immediately got on the controls with the captain and applied hard right rudder, right brake, and activated the nosewheel steering disconnect. He stated that when engaging the nosewheel steering disconnect, a chime is usually heard, but he did not remember hearing it during the event. He stated that he did not feel the nosewheel steering disengage, as expected, when the switch was activated."

The NTSB reported that no anomalies were found with the steering system of the aircraft. The steering system can be disconnected by manual switch, however, this is only possible if the steering tiller is not engaged.

Akron/Canton's runway 23 is 8200 feet long.

Relevant NOTAM:
03/030 (A0349/11) - RWY 5/23 CLSD. WIE UNTIL UFN. CREATED: 18 MAR 08:41 2011

Metars:
KCAK 180651Z 24013G20KT 10SM SCT055 OVC080 17/08 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP125 T01670078
KCAK 180551Z 23010KT 10SM OVC055 14/07 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP128 8/5// T01440067 10150 20139 56009
KCAK 180451Z 22013G23KT 10SM BKN055 OVC070 15/06 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP129 T01500061 401780022
KCAK 180351Z 21014KT 10SM BKN060 OVC250 14/06 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP134 T01440056
KCAK 180251Z 21014G20KT 10SM FEW250 14/05 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP140 8/001 T01440050 53002
KCAK 180151Z 20015KT 10SM FEW250 15/04 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP136 T01500044
KCAK 180051Z 20011KT 10SM SCT250 14/04 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP141 T01440044