A Thai Airways Airbus A350 was involved in a serious landing incident, on January 1st 2020; which involved the aircraft descending below 670 feet, whilst still nearly 6.5 nautical miles from the airport.
The aircraft, an Airbus A350-900 registered HS-THF, was performing flight TG-926 from Phuket when the incident occurred. Although at night, conditions and visibility were good.
During descent, the pilots increased their descent rate while passing through 7,300 feet; as instructed to do so by air traffic control. Not long after clearance was provided to descent to 3,000 feet, at a heading of 040 degrees with a speed of 170 knots or higher. The aircraft was set up and cleared for an ILS approach into Frankfurt.
At 6,000 feet the flaps were extended, with the landing gear being deployed at around 5,100 feet. By this time the descent rate was 2,000 feet per minute, just as the aircraft intercepted the localiser to begin its final approach sequence.
With the ground proximity warning system (GPWS) calling out 2,500 feet, the autopilot system was disconnected. However, approximately nine seconds later another two GPWS call outs were made, this time alerting the crew of the sinkrate before calling out 1,000 feet.
Noticing the issue, the pilot monitoring notified Frankfurt air traffic control; which was the first actual contact with the tower during approach. At this point the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation states that the aircraft was at an altitude of 668 feet above ground level, 6.5 nautical miles from the airport runway.
A go around was performed, with the aircraft climbing out of the near-disastrous situation without further incident. During the second approach the correct altitude for the distance to the airport was achieved, being approximately 2,100 feet.
To compare the approaches another illustration was published for the investigation, highlighting the serious vertical flight path deviation.
Pilot Background
On board the flight were three first officers and a captain. The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation says that the first officer, that was flying the aircraft at the time, was 36 years old, held an airline transport pilot license (ATPL) and had a total of 4,000 hours of flying experience; with 1,500 of these hours being on the A350.
The 43 year old captain monitoring the first officer holds 8,000 flying experience, with 400 hours on the A350. The two other first officers that were on board at the time were not in command positions. Each had their ATPL and were not undergoing training.
Investigation
Due the seriousness of the incident, the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation has launched an in-depth investigation; this will likely focus on pilot awareness and fatigue, pilot mental state and how information is viewed during such a critical stage of flight.
It is also understood that the pilots are being investigated by Thai authorities, for a serious breach of procedure that put a large aircraft and the lives of passengers, crew and those on the ground at risk.
Information breakdown sourced from The Aviation Herald, Flight Global and German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation.
Well, perhaps I stand corrected Adam. Zia’s reply to Connie was uncalled for. There have been many similar incidents to this one over the years involving airlines all over the world. Some have resulted in crashes, most have not.
Since there was no accident or loss of life, we won’t be seeing this incident depicted on an episode of Mayday. Let’s suppose it was though – being an East Asian carrier, I can imagine cultural factors come into play. Seniority is a huge deal in Asian cultures. Let’s suppose the pilot caused the oversight leading to flying below minimums, and the “less experienced” “junior” co-pilot noticed it. Why didn’t he call out the pilot? Because it would lead to loss of face. Thai workplaces follow a strict hierarchical structure.
A similar assessment was made as being one of the principal reasons for the Korean Air crash in Guam a few years ago. They descended too low and crashed into a hill before reaching the runway since the glide slope wasn’t working. Other factors include that it was a night time flight on a dark night. Korean Air made some changes to their procedures as a result of the accident but I doubt a KA crew is going to work like westerners. It’s still an Asian working culture.
I cannot judge what happened on this flight, but when I read it I had to think about the most scary go around (I already had some number of them) I had on February 23rd on the Thai a330 evening flight from CGK to BKK. Perfect flight and shortly before touching down, a very, very steep climb. We landed safely after about fifteen-twenty minutes. What struck me, not a word from the cockpit, even if probably there would have been time for it after the safe-landing. Thankful all went well and surely the cockpit handled in the interest of us all (and maybe anyone on the runway, if not another error occurred). But no word of explanation was given ….., zero.
I have rarely seen such anger and erratic language used by this person who portrays himself as educated and fully trained in the aspects he is crudely commenting on.
Not at all an impressive display of knowledge or courtesy in fact quite uncivilised
Mr zia have you a ATPL with A350 type rating if yes then you should comment on this otherwise no
No I don’t have Airbus 350 type rating.
It is simple common sense.
It was an a major approach error , whether it be a single engined Aeroplane or a Boeing 747 or 777 or Airbus A380 or 340 or 320 Or Gulfstream 8000 or any other Aeroplane. The procedures are 90% the same.
You can ONLY be a very stupid idiot to ask me that question.
Your lively exchange of emails about the TG approach in FRA, I am not a pilot so I wouldn’t comment on the seriousness of the potential situation which might have happened, is a welcome change and distraction from all the news about COVID 19…
Yes, Hugh.
With the Coronavirus and with this serious incident, (had it been more serious and fatal).
It would have caused financial meltdown.
People employed in Aviation would lost their careers.
This includes pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers and proffessional people related to aviation.
I am British. It would have been a death to Rolls Royce. Wings and other components made in UK. Those Professionals with high degrees would have lost out.
I am currently living in Toulouse, France.
There would been a wounded City of Toulouse. With it is already seriously injured.
With HARD SALT RUBBED IN.
Like everyone else , I am at home.
I have not been out. Not even a step outside since 20th March 2020, otherwise I would have travelled all over the world.
Coronavirus lockdown has prevented I, myself from doing so.
So it is an honour to concentrate on other subjects other than Coronavirus.
If I could I would make money out of it.
I have plans.
Someone’s huge loss could be MY HUGE GAIN.
If the Autopilot was engaged, how could this have happened unless a wrong altitude was set. Probably makes sense to keep Autopilot engaged till fairly short final particularly when trying to intercept the glideslope on such a steep descent profile. At least the aircraft will be safely established at the right speed and descent profile when you disengage. Might be just a procedural issue.
Even this is a procedural mistake.
This is just carelessness and incompetence.
All pilots have to carefully check everything on the checklist.
CAREFULLY.
Mistakes cannot be made when all procedures are completed.
What if had been another Airport, with a tall building in which pilots had to clear.
SO FAR and too LOW.
Nearly 1500ft difference.
There are many airports out there with tall buildings 6.5nm away from glide path, London…New York. And even Frankfurt ( lucky the wind was blowing other direction) . And hence different runway.
That is just more than 10km . Many buildings are tall as or taller than 650ft. Approx 10 floor building.
They or he would have entered the right right altitude with the correct QNH as per checklist and intercepted the ILS.
It would have been a safe approach and landing.
There is no excuse for this.
I, myself can drive all types of vehicles.
I can fly all types of aircraft.
I also have a yacht masters certificate.
When I am driving a large goods truck with 2 or more trailers. Assuming I am on the motorway.
I want to overtake a slower vehicle either an truck or any other.
Obviously it is common sense to check there is not a very small car or even a motorcycle in my blind spot, and worse still it is traveling at the same speed as my Truck.
I don’t just check the mirrors. I double check and also check the blind spot and also anticipate.
I have driven all over the world, mainly UK, Europe, USA , Canada,Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. I own my companies.
THERE is no excuse for this .. whether they forgot or didn’t do the procedure.
Similarly in my above example of my self, If I have forgotten to check the blind spot whilst overtaking in my truck.. Then you can imagine the devastation and the motorcycle or any car would get crushed with it’s passengers and driver inside.
Do I blame fatigue or do I blame procedure.
Tut tut tut to them idiots.
Should get sacked and have their ATPL shoved up their holes.
Zia Rahman : Judgemental and full of yourself aren’t you? Please do not post unnecessary and unhelpful comments here. Your language, grammar and attitude has a lot to be desired. Think you are better off trolling some other site to let off your steam. And yes, anger management controls would do you some good. You sound like one helluva frustrated angry individual. Try to get a life please.
Get this RIGHT BRAIN.
Only a stupid idiot like you can take this as anger.
This is JUST.
If that plane had CRASHED.
ALL AIRBUS 350 would get grounded just because of 4 stupid dimwits.
Zia,
That’s not quite how it works. You claim to be a pilot, a trucker, and lord knows what else. You should know better.
The dude’s name is Brian, not Brain, you twit. Who do you know called Brain? Stop calling people idiots, and for the love of God, stop spouting shit. Half your comments are nonsense.
Please, do listen to these people. You need help.
I deliberately spelled your name WRONG.
Get this straight.
A person like you would never ever be in the same building as me.
If you were and ever will be, you would and will leave and had left with a bloody nose.
You do not know me.
I also look after my financial interests and I have lost in this current situation.
This incident with those Thai far Eastern pathetic pilots would have made it worse.
My Airbus shares WOULD have lost a considerable amount.
I don’t think you would argue with Mr Donald Trump or Mr Warren Buffet. Or Sir Richard Branson.
Zia is totally right!
4 ‘qualified’ pilots literally ramming the plane into the ground… Being on duty on new years eve is probably not a pleasure, but that’s not a reason that three pilots didn’t recognise the danger and only act after the second warning, seconds before hitting the ground and killing hundreds of people.
I’m frequently flying THAI, I’ve been on TG 920 a couple of days later, trust me, I’ll think twice before boarding a Thai plane again… good luck, German authorities are looking into it and don’t sweep it under the carpet..
Thank You Marc for the kind reply.
Crikey Zia I think you need help, of the medical type. Bias shit, a case of the kettle calling the ppt black I think.
Don’t get it WRONG. I am also a pilot. I am 50 years old. I gained my ppl in 1989, when I was 20. CPL when I was 23. ATPL when I was 26.
I have experience in instructing, Ariel flying and Corporate Flying.
You stupid dimwitted pathetic person do not judge me. THOSE VERY idiots including the so called Captain of idiots should have stopped them flying through minimums especially on ILS approach and of a major airline . The size of the aircraft are all facts that need to be considered.
Boeing 737 Max 8 and this Coronavirus incidents have taken their toll and pressure on the financial markets, people lives, Boeing Aircraft company and it’s employees, Investors. The list could list millions of reasons. The cost runs into TRILLIONS.This could be the fault of Boeing and China with this Chinese virus.
On year’s Day . WE DID NOT WANT TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP TO AIRBUS or it’s A350.
Many lives and TRILLIONS of TRILLIONS would have been lost. Lives ruined with many livehoods ruined amongst with this Coronavirus/ Chinese virus.
I am not angry.. Dickhead like you needs to get a life.
How is anyone making assessments about anything before the investigation has returned their findings?
Because, they were below minimum height. It can be stupidity.
Useless inexperienced pilots of a developing nation.
All of them should loose their licences.
Had something gone wrong then they would blame AIRBUS.
Thank God nothing bad happened.
Think about the good that the incident has brought to those who can prevent another incident that could have otherwise ended worse.
It’s ‘lose’, not ‘loose’. You really should lose your computer privileges at this point. I wonder what rubbish you’ve been spouting about the novel coronavirus to your mates.
I’m just going to ignore that first line there. There are so many things wrong with it.
Adam, while Zia’s tone may not be to everyone’s liking, what has his/her opinion on the corona virus got to do with anything? Moreover, the tone of your comment seems to imply you are suffering from your own cognitive dissonance on this topic. I’m guessing you actually think the mainstream media is giving you factual and impartial information on this crisis. Nothing could be further from the truth. As this is an aviation forum, it’s obviously not the right venue to talk about non-aviation related topics. Still, I urge you to calm down and study the facts using a wide range of sources. Ad hominem attacks are the last resort of clueless people who’ve lost the argument.
Perhaps crew has disregarded EGPWS alerts due to fatigue and distress.
You are full of Bias Shit.
If someone drove into you whilst you are in a car either driving or a passenger.
Assuming that the driver had fallen asleep . He or She has critically injured YOU..
Would you blame fatigue… Or blame incompetence.
In this case there were 4 dimwitted pathetic arseholes, All with ATPL .
The media would have blamed AIRBUS and would have grounded all AIRBUS A350.. Just like B737 max 8 .
I have an ATPL. I would have performed much better alone…not with 4 thick dangerous idiots as pilots.
And you, Zia, need to learn how to talk like a civilized person.
How are they ‘4 dimwitted pathetic arseholes’? The media is not going to blame anyone. We get that you love Airbus. Other airlines have had similar potentially dangerous incidents in the recent past, be it Tigerair Australia or Asiana.
And for God’s sake, learn to type properly.
Yes it is lose.
At least I did not make a DANGEROUS move like those stupid idiots flying on ILS approach.
How I know it was stupidity.
Firstly they were on below minimum.
And the Captain DID NOT take any action, even the first officer with considerable amount of experience on type.
Secondly why did they do a go around.
Thirdly, The pilot then flew without any problem and landed .
This was carelessness and pure stupidity.
All of them should have their licences revoked and cancelled .