Bristol Airport runway was deemed unsafe

An accident report spoke of passengers at Bristol Airport who had a scare after their plane went off the temporary runway and onto the grass in one of several "serious" incidents taking place over the 2006/2007 winter period.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) reported that the plane suffered from braking problems during wet weather conditions causing it veer off the runway and come to rest on a grass verge.

Many concerned airlines cancelled or diverted flights to Bristol following the events between November 2006 and January 2007 causing disruption to 25,000 passengers.

Eventually the airport was closed to allow the runway be treated.

The AAIB said that Bristol's risk assessment plan "had not adequately addressed the hazards presented to aircraft operating on the temporary surfaces in wet and windy weather".

The report also mentioned that information from air traffic control concerning braking on the runway gave flight crews "false confidence in the braking action available on the wet runway".