Freight plane missed landing

A FREIGHT plane heading for Launceston Airport flew too low as it went in to land but missed its approach due to bad weather.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found the Boeing 737-376 operated by Express Freighters Australia could not land due to adverse weather conditions on June 17 last year.

“On completion of the missed approach, the captain initiated a left turn to re-position the aircraft for a second approach,” the report said.

“A short time later, while responding to a call from the airport groundsman about the weather conditions, the captain handed control of the aircraft to the first officer.

“While the captain instructed the first officer to maintain the turn, subsequent manoeuvring had not been discussed. The resultant flight path led to the aircraft entering an area with a minimum permitted altitude of 5800ft (1770m).”

The freight plane was found to be flying at just 4400ft (1340m).

Air traffic control issued a safety alert and instructed the crew to climb the aircraft above the minimum safe altitude.

The ATSB said the incident highlighted the value of having a clear and, where appropriate, shared contingency plan.

“A common understanding between flight crew prevents additional workload associated with clarifying intentions during busy periods such as during and after missed approaches,” it said.

The ATSB is encouraging operators and flight crew to consider including appropriate missed approach considerations, such as intended flight path, crew actions, terrain clearance and air traffic control requirements into their approach briefings regardless of environmental concerns.