The report presented below was prepared principally from
information supplied to the Bureau.
REPORTED INFORMATION
On 10 May 2005 at 0927 central standard time, the pilot of a
Piper Aircraft Corporation PA-31-350 aircraft, registered VH-MZV,
being operated on a charter flight from Snake Point, NT, landed
short of the displaced threshold on runway 11 at Darwin
International Airport.
Flight crews were notified of the displaced threshold in a
notice to airmen (NOTAM) and on the Darwin automatic terminal
information service (ATIS). The threshold was displaced 723 metres
and indicated by bar V-markers and lights. The unusable section of
runway was marked with three white crosses and red and white cones.
The displaced threshold and markings were in accordance with
Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Manual of Operating Standards
Part 139- Aerodromes- Section 8.3.9.
The pilot reported that his turn onto final approach was lower
than usual, as he was requested by air traffic control to conduct a
close left base. The pilot did not see the white crosses and
reported that the morning sun may have prevented him from seeing
the displaced threshold markers.
The pilots landing clearance included advice that the threshold
was displaced. The pilot was aware of an aircraft at the holding
point and another conducting an instrument approach. The pilot
decided to land using a short field landing procedure to facilitate
the departure and arrival of the other aircraft, but this was not
requested by the aerodrome controller (ADC). The pilots focus upon
vacating the runway as soon as possible distracted him from landing
beyond the displaced threshold.
After landing, he reported seeing the red and white cones ahead
of the aircraft and was notified by the ADC that he had landed
short of the displaced threshold.