in this case and possibly a cultural issue, loss of face counted for more than unintended loss of life.
Nowhere in any manual I am aware of are specific instructions on how a first officer can force a captain to execute a go-around when it is obvious an approach is so unstabilised as to be dangerous to life and limb.
OK so there are motherhood words in the book like "Captain go around." but to a captain intent on pressing on regardless, a mere comment by an F/O using the company approved warning expression, means nothing to some culture driven personalities.
Exactly how does the F/O take over control at such a potentially dangerous moment within a few seconds of landing? To have two pilots fighting over the controls does not even bear thinking about. All is not lost however.
For years there has been one simple and effective remedy which could prevent such accidents. Buy you won't see it in any manuals.
That is the F/O must act decisively to call aloud "Captain Go Around - Landing Gear coming up" . Simultaneously the F/O deliberately selects gear up without waiting for a response. . Even the most culture driven pilot in command would be shocked to the core and be forced into a go-around. There is no risk of confusion of who is flying the aircraft. There is no way even the most fanatical captain would continue with the approach and deliberately land wheels up just to make a point. This action by the PNF should be mandated in the company operations manual so that all pilots are aware of this last ditch solution to prevent a certain overrun on landing or a deliberate pressing on in IMC below DH or MDA.
Until this practical advice is promulgated in company operations manuals, the danger of pressing on regardless with an unstable approaches, will continue unabated and accidents such as this one will always be on the cards. Whether some would admit it or not, it is a demonstrated fact that some cultures transcend flight safety commonsense. For every accident involving a seriously unstable approach there are literally hundreds of other unstable approaches that go unrecorded for various reasons. The perpetrators get away with it time and again and cutting it fine becomes a sport and a challenge. We have all seen the type and kept our mouths shut for fear of making waves; or worse, losing our job
Last edited by A37575; 27th May 2020 at 10:22.