Lessons Learned: Unsuccessful Go-Around, N915GD, British Virgin Islands
On arrival in the British Virgin Islands, N915GD was likely affected by nearby thunderstorm activity, reportedly experiencing a downdraught on short finals.
Despite the commander applying more power to “arrest the descent,” the aircraft initially touched down on the lip of Runway 07 (Rwy 07), approximately 150 m short of the threshold. It then bounced and touched down again close to the threshold. The airfield operations team later found a frangible runway light had been damaged by the aircraft when it undershot the runway.
While the commander knew the aircraft initially touched down in the undershoot,he was unaware that it had struck the light and, subsequently, did not file an occurrence report. The aircraft returned to its home base approximately one hour later. An initial incorrect assessment of the severity of this incident contributed to a delay in this serious incident being notified to the AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch).
This delay, combined with a paucity of information about the circumstances and handling of the event, made it difficult for the investigation to gain a detailed understanding of what had happened. It is unclear whether the undershoot resulted from the commander attempting to rescue an unstable approach or whether his application of power was the initiation of an unsuccessful go-around.
History of the flight
During an airfield inspection at TUPJ, which began at 1900 hrs Z on November 6, 2024, it was found that a frangible light at the western edge of the Rwy 07 undershoot was missing. Tire marks were also discovered on the extreme end of the runway. Based on the nature of the marks, their orientation and location, as well as the track between them, it was determined they were made by an aircraft rather than a ground vehicle. The airfield boundary fence in the Rwy 07 undershoot had also sustained damage. The barbed wire support arm on one fence pole was missing and the wire had been severed in that location.
Content source/credit: AAIB, “AAIB investigation to Short Bros SD3-60, N915GD,” published October 9, 2025.
