Jet wing damage a known landing risk - report

The flap fairing was damaged when the wing touched the runway

The damage caused to the wing of a private jet when it hit the ground while landing was a "known risk", air accident investigators said.

A Bombardier Global 6000 (LX-NST) was damaged after its right wing struck the runway at London Luton Airport on 7 April last year.

The pilot had aborted a landing after it began to drift to the left in the wind before it rolled to the right, causing the wing to hit the ground, an accident report said.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the risk of this type of plane being damaged in windy conditions was "well-known".

A CCTV image shows at a distance LX-NST’s wing contacting the ground

Its report said the aircraft had left Biggin Hill airport at 16:05 GMT and was approaching runway 25 at Luton Airport in gusty conditions.

During an initial landing attempt, the "pitch and roll" combination was enough for the right wing to touch the runway for approximately 18m (59ft).

The wingtip, flap flaring, aileron and slat features were all damaged.

The two-pilot crew were unhurt and there were no passengers on board, the report said.

A second approach and landing were performed without incident, and the pilots were unaware until afterwards that the wing had been damaged.

The AAIB said the "risk of wingtip contact is well known" in this type of aircraft and it had conducted several similar investigations.

As a result, the manufacturer has taken a number of safety actions, including improving training and publishing new guidance for pilots on techniques for landing in crosswinds.

Safety action has also been taken by the operator following an internal investigation, which includes the introduction of new scenarios of crosswind landings and low-energy go-arounds in simulator training.