AVIATION regulators are calling for more guidance around additional length at the end of runways after an investigation fatal plane crash south of the Hunter.
The recommendations came last month after an investigation into the Somersby-bound flight from Camden crashed in March last year. The plane overran the runway's end by 20 metres, struck a small water course and came to a complete stop. It left the pilot with serious injuries that claimed his life, the report states.
The man, who had approximately 1300 hours of experience and held a private pilot's licence, died as a result of injuries including a dislocated neck two days later in hospital.
"In this case, the presence of the watercourse at the end of the runway increased the risk of aircraft damage and serious occupant injury as the aircraft stopped significantly faster than it would have if the area had been cleared of obstacles," Australian Transport Safety Bureau transport safety director Dr Stuart Godley said.
"The need for pilots to anticipate, plan and execute go-arounds remains a key safety message from the ATSB for the avoidance of runway excursions."
The ATSB report found there was no evidence of an attempted go-around in the Somersby crash.
While the report noted that the aircraft landed at a higher than normal airspeed at a late touchdown point on the runway, it noted that features surrounding the runway including the water course and trees along its edge "increased the likelihood and severity of occupant injury in the case of a runway excursion".
The investigation compared injury rates from aeroplane landing areas (ALAs) and certified aerodromes, finding "the number of injuries after a runway excursion ... was three times that at a certified aerodrome".
Almost 100 over-runs or veer-offs were reported between 2014 and 2018, with 10 causing injury. That compares to 250 at aerodromes, with eight causing injury.
The authority notes that Somersby's landing area has operated for more than 60 years but most landings were on an uphill runway.
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