EASA SIB No: 2014-20
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
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Furthermore, training and experience play a significant role in
determining a pilot’s ability to cope with challenging crosswind
conditions.
Similar results were found through a study on crosswind (“NGW
– Near-Ground Wind Gust Detection”) that was commissioned
by EASA and carried out by the National Aerospace Laboratory
of the Netherlands (NLR). Additionally, the study showed that
crosswind or tailwind component was a causal factor in a
significant number of occurrences investigated since 1990 and
involving CS-25 certified aeroplanes operated in CAT. These
occurrences typically resulted in wingtip strikes, tail strikes, hard
landings and runway excursions. The wind in these occurrences
was frequently accompanied by gusty conditions.
The analysis of existing practices and issues regarding near-
ground wind and associated gust information for pilots,
conducted by NLR, prompted some considerations, which can
be found in the NLR report.
Recommendations: Based on the above considerations, the overall objective of this
SIB is to raise awareness on the risks associated with
operations in strong and/or gusty crosswind conditions, with the
purpose of adding emphasis to the relevant portions of pilot
training and providing flight crews with unambiguous information
to support their decision making processes.
EASA therefore encourages manufacturers, operators and
approved training organisations to take the following into
consideration when developing or revising an AFM, a Flight
Crew Operating or Training Manual (FCOM/FCTM), operational
procedures and limitations, and initial and recurrent training
programmes:
When publishing demonstrated crosswind values,
manufacturers should specify if the gust factor is included or
not;
Operators and training organisations should consider
publishing operational crosswind limitations which take into
account their operational experience and the operating
environment (e.g. runway width and state, prevailing weather
conditions, etc.). These limits should be based on the AFM
maximum demonstrated crosswind value, when more limiting
values are not published in the limitation section of the AFM.
Operators should also carefully consider including the gust
factor in the operating limitations, following the manufacturer’s
recommendations, if any;
Operators and training organisations are encouraged to
emphasize, in their initial and recurrent training programmes,
crosswind take-off and landing techniques relevant to the
specific type as published in the AFM/FCOM/FCTM, taking
into account applicable operational limitations. Full Flight
Simulator (FFS) scenarios should make use of realistic
crosswind and gust conditions.