Incident Overview
A Norwegian Air Shuttle Boeing 737-800, registration LN-NIP, was involved in a significant incident on December 19, 2024, when it overran the runway during landing at Molde Airport (MOL), Norway. The aircraft, coming in from Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport (OSL), failed to stop within the designated runway distance. Fortunately, there were no injuries as all 165 passengers were safely evacuated using the emergency slides.
Flight Details and Conditions
Flight DY430 departed from Oslo at 18:04 local time, following a routine path and reaching a cruising altitude of 32,000 feet. The weather at Molde was challenging, characterized by good visibility interspersed with gusty winds and intermittent snow and rain showers. These conditions likely contributed to the incident. The aircraft initiated its descent into Molde at 18:39 and was cleared for a landing on runway 25, which offers a landing distance of 1,981 meters (6,500 feet).
Moment of the Incident
The Norwegian Boeing 737 touched down at 19:03 but did not manage to halt on the tarmac, skidding off the runway’s end and stopping perilously close to the Fannefjord’s waters, just 15 meters away. The overrun distance was approximately 150 meters beyond the runway’s designated stopping point. Emergency services responded promptly, ensuring all passengers were evacuated without harm.
Aircraft and Airline Response
The involved aircraft, an 11.2-year-old Boeing 737-86N(WL), had been in operation with Norwegian Air Shuttle since July 2022, after being transferred from Garuda Indonesia where it served from October 2013 to August 2021. The aircraft, capable of seating 189 passengers in a single-class configuration, is leased from AerCap. Following the incident, Norwegian Air Shuttle has been cooperative with aviation authorities to investigate the overrun, attributing the cause to the adverse weather conditions and a slippery runway surface.
Current Status and Future Actions
As of now, the aircraft remains at Molde Airport, with assessments underway to evaluate the extent of the damage caused by the overrun. Norwegian Air Shuttle has pledged full support in the ongoing investigation and has initiated a review of its landing protocols in adverse weather conditions to enhance safety. The airline has also expressed its commitment to transparency and passenger safety in light of the recent event.