Summary
- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that a tough landing by a Virgin Australia flight was brought on by the primary officer flaring the aircraft too late and never reducing the throttle before touchdown.
- The pilots had been training at a better altitude than beneficial, increasing the likelihood of unstable or hard landings.
- It will be important for aircraft operators to be certain that standard operating procedures align with external training providers and that pilots are well-prepared for critical flight phases. Pilots ought to be “go-around minded” and attempt one other approach if the initial one doesn’t go as planned.
In March this 12 months, Virgin Australia was operating a 787-800 flight to Sydney, which encountered a tough landing. This resulted in a G force of two.96 G, which breached the brink for an appropriate hard landing. There was no damage to the aircraft, and no passengers were reportedly injured.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau noted that in the course of the final approach to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, the primary officer had flared the aircraft much later than usual, and the throttle had not been reduced to an idle before the aircraft was to touchdown. This resulted within the aircraft bouncing along the runway by roughly three feet. In the course of the incident, the aircraft’s ground spoilers and speed brakes were routinely deployed, leading to a tough landing.
Photo: jax10289 | Shutterstock
The ATSB noted, the contracted international training provider for Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737 conversions, that the pilots had been training at a better altitude than the manufacturer’s expected requirements of just 20ft, which might end in the likelihood of unstable or hard landings.
March tenth, 2023
Virgin Australia operated its scheduled flight VA916, a connection between Brisbane International Airport (BNE) and Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). The aircraft was scheduled to depart at 07:05 and touch down within the Latest South Wales capital, Sydney, at 09:40. The flight was carrying 179 passengers and 6 crew.
The aircraft in query was one among Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737-800 MAX aircraft, bearing registration VH-YQR (MSN 41011). Based on Airfleets, this can be a 10.6-year-old plane that’s configured for eight business class passengers and 168 in economy. First retreating in May 2013 for its first test flight, it was initially delivered to the airline on June 4th, 2013, under registration VH-YFP, which was modified to YQR in May 2021.
What Can Cause A Hard Landing?
ATSB findings
The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau found that in the course of the final approach, the pilot did flare (where the nose of the plane is raised, leading to a softer touchdown) later than instructed, and the throttle was not reduced before touchdown. Consequently, the next safety actions have been reviewed:
- The ATSB examined hard landings back in 2017 to have a look at similarities
- Collaboration with external type rating providers to make sure all are operating to straightforward operating procedures
- Advanced simulator sessions for Zero Flight Time (ZFT), with halfway-through line training, may also help pilots reconfirm the takeoff and landing techniques in difficult conditions.
- Independent reviews of coaching departments, including overall health of individuals and systems
Photo: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock
The ATSB stressed the importance of aircraft operators ensuring that their standard operating procedures align with external training providers, that pilots are trained adequately in all points of flight, and that they’re well prepared in probably the most critical phases of flight. One other suggestion is for the crew to be ‘go-around minded,’ to ‘refresh,’ and attempt again when their approach doesn’t go to plan. This might allow the aircraft and crew to reestablish themselves and have a more stabilized approach for a safer landing.
Sources: ATSB