The Italian ANSV has released its Preliminary Report into the crash landing of WINDJET Flight 243 at Palermo, Italy, on September 24, 2010. Investigators disclosed that the Pilots of the Airbus A319 lost horizontal visibility during their non-precision approach to Palermo, before the aircraft crashed short of the runway. Flight 243, on Domestic Service from Rome, with 124 passengers and 6 crew members onboard, had initially been cleared to descend to 5000ft. But before reaching the starting point of the authorized instrument procedure, the crew contacted Palermo approach control to request deviation from the planned route, to avoid cloud formations NW of the Airport. Palermo weather data issued over the course of the evening indicated storm activity in the vicinity and also included warnings over possible windshear. The radar controller approved the request and vectored the A319 to a point some 6 miles from the Raisi VOR-DME located at the Airport, for the non-precision procedure to Runway 07. Until this point, the aircraft had experienced only light turbulence. But, the ANSV said: "During the approach, while stabilized on the radial and descent profile, the aircraft encountered a strong squall which reduced horizontal visibility". While the First Officer had been the Pilot flying, the Captain took over the aircraft for the final part of the approach. Information obtained from the FDR shows the A319 failed to reach the touchdown zone, striking the ground just before the beginning of the runway-end safety area. The ANSV said the aircraft bounced onto the runway and skidded for 850 meters before coming to rest partly on the grass to the left of Runway 07. The aircraft's main landing gear collapsed during the impact and the jet tore through the localizer antenna for the opposite-direction Runway 25, wrecking it. Despite some minor injuries, there were no fatalities. The A319, registration EI-EDM, was written off. The investigation continues.
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