Poor airmanship is to blame for an accident that happened during a night time approach which occurred when a TNT Airways Boeing 737-300 lost one of its main landing gear during a balked go-around two years ago. The aircraft was on a actual instrument conditions Cat IIIA approach when air traffic control passed a company message to the crew requesting a diversion to Liverpool. The captain attempted to reply but inadvertently disconnected both autopilots.
The 737 then descended rapidly as the captain tried to re-engage the autopilots and belatedly tried to execute a go-around, but the aircraft struck the ground at 300 feet to the left of the runway centerline.
Even after the right main landing gear was gone, the aircraft became airborne again. To make matters worse, the aircraft's right and left trailing-edge flaps were stuck at 40° and 32° respectively and its messed up gear remained extended. It then diverted to Birmingham for an emergency landing, which is shown on the above video. The accident happened on June 16, 2006 and the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch accident report was just released.Also revealed in the report was that it was the Captain's first Cat IIIA approach in actual instrument conditions since being promoted from first officer four months prior. Further, the first officer did not appear to understand that he could make the go-around call. The first officer made the go-around call as the aircraft struck the ground...nice timing.
Thankfully no one on-board the aircraft was injured.
Home to PointNiner
No comments:
Post a Comment