Formulating Safety Performance Measures for Aircraft Landing and Runway Exit Maneuvers

Abstract

Runway excursions are one of the major causes of landing accidents. A framework has been developed to assess aircraft safety during landing and runway exit maneuvers using a safety performance approach, previously used extensively in road transportation. The safety performance of aircraft landings are examined through safety indicators that capture fundamental contributors to safe runway exits following landing. Safety indicators based on the flight data from landings of a major international airline are compared with published operational limits for safe operations. Results indicate that the operational limits alone are insufficient for establishing a safety profile during landing and runway exit maneuvers.