Overweight Landing

An overweight landing occurs when an aircraft lands at a weight exceeding its maximum design landing weight (MLW), requiring pilots to consider the risks and potential consequences of such a landing.

Maximum Landing Weight (MLW)

Every aircraft model has a specific MLW, which is the maximum weight at which the aircraft is certified to land safely.

Reasons for Overweight Landings

Overweight landings may occur due to:

• Diversion to an alternate airport.
• Return to the departure airport.
• An unplanned situation that prevents fuel burnoff or jettisoning.

Consequences of Overweight Landings

• Increased Stress on Aircraft: Landing overweight puts additional stress on the landing gear, tires, and brakes, increasing the risk of structural damage or failure.
• Extended Stopping Distance: More weight requires a longer landing roll to stop safely.
• Potential for Runway Excursion: The risk of a runway excursion is higher if the aircraft cannot stop in time.

Pilot Considerations

Pilots must assess the risks and benefits of an overweight landing compared to burning or jettisoning fuel.

Safety Procedures

If unavoidable, overweight landings should be performed using:

• The longest available runway.
• Consideration of wind and slope.
• Proper checks to ensure systems are functioning correctly.

Post Landing Inspections

After an overweight landing, a detailed inspection is usually required to assess potential structural damage.