DCA08IA044

The flight crew reported that prior to the approach into KJAX, the captain performed an approach briefing which included that the Mu readings indicated "good" breaking; it was determined that if the airplane did not touchdown in the first 2,000 feet of runway, they would perform a go around.  The touchdown was "firm" and the captain believed it was within the first 2,000 feet of runway.  The deceleration was normal until the airplane reached about 80 knots when it started to slide.  The captain then applied maximum manual braking and the airplane started to slide toward the right side of the runway.  The airplane exited the end of the runway and came to rest in the snow.  The runway friction measurements taken before and after the incident were all above 0.45, which according to the Aeronautical Information Manual, is above the level when braking action would start to deteriorate. Therefore, the airplane braking performance was not deteriorated by the runway conditions.

There were no faults logged in the maintenance systems that were relevant to the antiskid or brake systems, however, the inboard (IB) and outboard (OB) tachometer wires on the left main landing gear (LMLG) were found to be cross connected. With the wires crossed connected, when the IB tire began to skid (stop rotating) the Brake Steering and Control Unit (BSCU) would have commanded a reduction in the hydraulic pressure to the OB brake, instead of the IB brake, causing a loss of braking on the OB wheel. At the same time, the BSCU would have continued to command an increase in hydraulic pressure to the IB brake, causing it to fully skid and fail. Therefore, when the captain applied full manual braking, the braking action on the LMLG was almost fully lost while the right MLG braking remained normal, resulting in the airplane veering to the right and exiting the runway.

A review of the maintenance documents and practices showed that there were no specific inspections required when the landing gear and wiring harnesses were received to ensure they were routed to the correct axle. Additionally, installation documents did not specify the exact wire number connector that needed to be installed on each tachometer for a given position. Finally, a proper functional check should have identified the cross connected tachometers, even though maintenance personnel indicated no discrepancies when tested. After the incident, United Airlines took numerous actions to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring.

History of flight

On February 25, 2008, at 2116 mountain standard time (MST), United Airlines flight 267, an Airbus A-320, N442UA, departed the right side of runway 19 during landing at Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), Jackson, Wyoming. The 119 passengers and 6 crew members evacuated the aircraft via the emergency slides. One passenger received minor injuries during the evacuation and the airplane was not substantially damaged. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 and was en route from Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the nighttime landing.

The crew reported that the takeoff, climb, cruise and descent to JAC was normal. The captain was the flying pilot. After descending through a high overcast ceiling at about 12,000 feet, the airplane was in clear meteorological conditions.

The captain stated that prior to the night visual approach into JAC he performed an approach briefing. During the approach briefing it was noted that the Mu readings indicated "good" breaking and that if the airplane did not touchdown in the first 2,000 feet of runway, they would perform a go-around. The weather reported at the time of the approach was calm wind, 1 mile of visibility and no precipitation. Both the captain and first officer reported that they discussed the landing distance numbers. The captain reported that during the approach he could see the airport from about 15 miles away and configured the airplane early with full flaps and autobrakes set to "medium".

The captain stated that the touchdown was "firm" and the speedbrakes auto-deployed quickly; he believed that the airplane touched down in the first 2,000 feet of runway. The deceleration was normal until the airplane reached about 80 knots and 2,000 feet from the end of the runway when it started to slide. At that time, the captain stated that he applied maximum manual braking and the airplane started to slide toward the right side of the runway. The captain applied maximum left rudder, maximum braking, and reverse thrust as the airplane exited the right side of the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest against snow banks. The first officer said that the engines "flamed out" when they ingested snow. As the flight crew was shutting off the engine fuel levers and were getting out of their seats, they heard a passenger yell "fire" and the passengers began a self-initiated evacuation of the airplane.

Personnel information

The captain held an airline transport pilot certificate in airplane multi engine land and a commercial certificate in airplane single engine land, a flight engineer certificate, and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. The captain also held a certified flight instructor certificate with single engine, multi engine, and instrument airplane ratings. He was type rated in the Airbus A-320, and the Boeing 737, 757, 767 airplanes. The captain had accumulated about 10,000 hours of total flight experience, which included 2,414 hours in the Airbus A-320. The captain's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first class medical certificate was issued on September 24, 2007; and his most recent proficiency check occurred in January 2007.

The first officer held an airline transport pilot certificate in airplane multi engine land, and commercial privileges in airplane single engine land and rotorcraft. The first officer held type ratings in the Airbus A-320 and Boeing 757, 767 airplanes. The first officer reported that he had accumulated about 10,000 hours of total flight experience, which included 2,072 hours in the Airbus A-320. The first officer's most recent FAA first class medical certificate was issued on March 28, 2007. His most recent proficiency check was in August 2007.

At the time of the incident, the crew had been on duty for about 13 hours and 30 minutes; the first officer reported that their maximum allowed duty day was 14 hours.

Runway documentation

The Jackson Hole airport (JAC) has one asphalt runway (1/19) which is 6300 feet long by 150 feet wide.

Examination of the runway revealed distinct rubber transfer marks leading to an area of disturbed snow on the right side of the runway (Figure 1). The longest of the rubber transfer marks began about 576 feet from the departure threshold of runway 19 (or the approach threshold of runway 1) and 67 feet from the left runway edge and arced to the right. The mark was very light for the first 55 feet then became very heavy for 76 feet followed by 332 feet of light markings (as measured along the mark). The mark stopped about 111 feet from the threshold and 17 feet, 4 inches from the right runway edge. The heavy mark crossed the centerline at an angle of about 31 degrees. A second set of two light rubber transfer marks began about 389 feet from the threshold and 39 feet from the right runway edge. The two marks were parallel and separated by about 40 inches. The marks ended at the disturbed snow at the right runway edge. At the edge of the runway there were three sets of parallel tracks through the snow consistent with the landing gear wheels on the airplane. The center of the right main landing gear (LMLG) tracks was 149 feet from the threshold, the center of the nose landing gear (NLG) tracks was 99 feet from the threshold, and the center of the LMLG tracks was 36 feet from the threshold. The perpendicular distance between the centers of the tracks was 13 feet, 9 inches between the LMLG and NLG and 10 feet, 3 inches between the RMLG and NLG.

The airplane came to rest in the snow on the right side of the overrun area. The two RMLG and two NLG tires each left distinct impressions with tread ribs in the soil and snow where they came to rest. The LMLG outboard tire left a distinct impression with tread ribs while the inboard tire left only a light impression. The center of the RMLG was 140 feet from the extended centerline, the center of the LMLG was 137 feet, 4 inches from the centerline, and the center of the NLG was 42 feet, 2 inches forward of a line connecting the center of both MLG. The distance between the RMLG and LMLG was 28 feet. A point midway between the MLG (airplane centerline) was 116 feet beyond the threshold.

Runway friction measurements were obtained from airport operations that were taken using a SARSYS Saab Friction Tester before and after the incident on runway 19. The first measurement was taken at 20:43 MST on 2/25 and showed readings of 0.45, 0.46, and 0.51. The second measurement was taken at 21:38 MST on 2/25 and showed readings of 0.62, 0.64, and 0.69.

According to the airport's director of operations, it was snowing earlier in the day; however, it had stopped before the incident occurred. The runway was swept of snow prior to the arrival of the incident airplane. Patchy, thin packed snow and ice (less than 1/8") was on the runway, but mostly along the edges and not covering more than 25%.

Figure 1 – Diagram of Skid Marks

Aircraft documentation

The leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps were extended. Spoilers 3 and 4 on each wing were in the extended position. Both engine thrust reversers remained in the deployed position. There was snow packed in both engines from the fan area through the thrust reversers. There was snow in the aft end of the fan air ducts on both engines and a frozen pool of water in the left engine tail pipe.

Snow and ice was packed around all of the landing gear and up into the wheel well. The LMLG inboard tire exhibited a large flat spot with a rupture through the aft end from sidewall to sidewall (Figure 2). The LMLG outboard tire was intact with some minor abraded areas on the center tread rib. The RMLG tires were intact with some minor abraded areas on the center rib and some small cuts in the shoulder area. There was no other obvious damage to the landing gear.

Figure 2