So here we are a month down the line with the crew’s careers hanging by a thread. They screwed up the procedure, got too low, recognized it late then went around. The holes in the Swiss cheese lined up nicely.
1. Curving approach to runway
2. No RNP-AR capability
3. Vertically selected NPA
4. Procedure design mismatch
5. 4am body time
6. Approach unfamiliarity
7. Commenced descent too early
8. Warned by ATC continued
9. Realized cock-up went round
Barriers still available:
10. Terrain caution (went off after MAP initiated)
11. Terrain warning pull-up
This has resulted in sympathetic colleagues:
General butt covering
Procedure bashing
Crew bashing
Emirates bashing
ATC bashing
JFK bashing
Management bashing
Training bashing
380 bashing
FCOM comparisons
777 bashing
New procedures etc. etc.
Probable cause, crew screwed up due to misunderstanding the approach with a few contributory factors. So whilst embarrassing was it as disastrous as perceived?
Solution isn’t firing, isn’t bashing, should be education.