Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 5 April 1997
Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-436
Owner/operator: British Airways
Registration Number: G-BNLF
Location: Lilongwe Airport –
ÿ Malawi
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 150
Component Affected: Aircraft Windshield SystemAircraft Windshield System
Investigating Agency: AAIBAAIB
Category: Accident
During approach, the pilot observed a rain shower crossing the threshold but could see through it. He did not select windscreen wipers, even when prompted by the co-pilot. The co-pilot called “50 above” and “decide”, the GPWS warned “sink rate” and the aircraft hit the runway hard. The co-pilot called “go around” and applied full power. The aircraft landed safely on the reciprocal 6 min later. The FDR revealed that the aircraft landed hard due to failure to flare, resulting in extensive fuselage rippling and quilting.During approach, the pilot observed a rain shower crossing the threshold but could see through it. He did not select windscreen wipers, even when prompted by the co-pilot. The co-pilot called “50 above” and “decide”, the GPWS warned “sink rate” and the aircraft hit the runway hard. The co-pilot called “go around” and applied full power. The aircraft landed safely on the reciprocal 6 min later. The FDR revealed that the aircraft landed hard due to failure to flare, resulting in extensive fuselage rippling and quilting.
Description
During approach the pilot observed a rain shower crossing the threshold but he could see through it. He did not select windscreen wipers, even when prompted by the co-pilot. The co-pilot called “50 above” and “decide”, the GPWS warned “sink rate” and the aircraft hit the runway hard. The co-pilot called “go around” and applied full power. The aircraft landed safely on the reciprocal 6 min later. The FDR revealed that the aircraft landed hard because of failure to flare. There was extensive fuselage rippling and quilting.
Primary Cause
Failure to flare during approach.Failure to flare during approach.Share on:
