AINsight: An Eye-opening Lesson on Aircraft Eye-to-wheel Height | Aviation International News

AINsight: An Eye-opening Lesson on Eye-to-wheel Height

Global 5000 accident exposes major safety issues

Eye to wheel height Global 5000 vs Challenger 604 — The eye-to-wheel height of the Bombardier Global 5000 is up to five feet higher than the Challenger 604. This difference was a major factor in a Global 5000 accident at Fox Harbour Airport in Canada. © Transportation Board of Canada

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

February 28, 2025

On Nov. 11, 2007, a Bombardier Global 5000 touched down seven feet short of the runway at Fox Harbour Airport (CFH4) in Nova Scotia. The right main landing gear collapsed before the aircraft departed the runway, struck several grassy berms, and came to a stop 1,000 feet from the initial touchdown point. Two occupants suffered serious injuries and eight others had minor injuries, while the aircraft sustained major structural damage.

A Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) final report identified major safety issues that relate specifically to business aircraft pilots—notably, a lack of available published information on eye-to-wheel height (EWH) and a lack of understanding of the nuances of visual landing systems.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Contributor - Safety

About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

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