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Go-around Change for Jetstar

Jetstar changes go-around operating procedures following Melbourne incident

Low-cost carrier Jetstar has changed its standard operating procedure for go-arounds following an incident with an Airbus A320 trying to land at Melbourne Airport.

A report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau released today describes how in July 2007, the aircraft came within 38 ft of the ground before climbing.

The aircraft was being operated on a scheduled international passenger service from Christchurch, New Zealand. Melbourne Airport was fog-bound, with a number of aircraft performing go-arounds prior to the Jetstar aircraft.

The report says, “At the decision height on the instrument approach into Melbourne, the crew conducted a missed approach as they did not have the required visual reference because of fog. The pilot in command did not perform the go-around procedure correctly and, in the process, the crew were unaware of the aircraft's current flight mode. The aircraft descended to within 38 ft of the ground before climbing.”

The aircraft operator had changed the standard operating procedure for a go-around and, as a result, the crew were not prompted to confirm the aircraft's flight mode status until a number of other procedure items had been completed, says the report.

“As a result of the aircraft not initially climbing, and the crew being distracted by an increased workload and unexpected alerts and warnings, those items were not completed. The operator had not conducted a risk analysis of the change to the procedure and did not satisfy the incident reporting requirements of its safety management system (SMS) or of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.”

As a result of this incident, Jetstar changed its go-around procedure to reflect that of the aircraft manufacturer, notes the ATSB. Jetstar also modified its SMS to require a formal risk management process in support of any proposal to change an aircraft operating procedure.

“In addition, the operator is reviewing its flight training requirements, has invoked a number of changes to its document control procedures, and has revised the incident reporting requirements of its SMS.”

As a result of this incident, Airbus has also enhanced its published go-around procedures to emphasise the critical nature of the flight crew actions during a go-around.