Accidents
UK AAIB: Multiple Factors Led to Challenger Accident
Slow airspeed and strong crosswind led to mishap

A Bombardier Challenger 604 seriously damaged in a landing attempt at London Stansted Airport was flown “slower than appropriate for the conditions, and the aircraft floated, leading to an excessive angle of attack prior to the excursion,” according to a UK Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) final report. But the agency could not determine a single precise cause.

The twinjet was seriously damaged on Jan. 31, 2022, when the crew lost control during an attempted landing on Runway 22 at London Stansted Airport with strong crosswinds at 12:18 a.m. At the time, surface wind was from 300 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 25 knots.