Originally Posted by
mbar
Why only on the ground?
Did you read the preceding paragraph of the report?
At 10:32:56 while approaching the base turn the PIC took the following decision: “We’ll make an approach. In case of failure we’ll go around in autoflight mode”. In compliance with that decision at 10:34:20 after establishing on the circle altitude of 500 m the crew engaged the autothrottle. By taking this decision the crew demonstrated low knowledge of the aircraft equipment. In fact Tu-154M does allow going around in the autoflight mode. The appropriate procedures are written in Section 8.8.2 (4) (d) of the FCOM. The PIC must make sure that:
− the ROLL and PITCH switches (Panel 46) are on;
− the GLIDE SLOPE light on autopilot control panel is on,
and then press the GO AROUND button. The mentioned procedure assumes that a mandatory condition for arming the autoflight go-around is active Glide slope mode used for autoflight or flight director approach in combination with Approach mode. It was not possible to use this mode when landing at Smolensk "Severny" Airdrome due to the absence of appropriate ground based navaids (ILS).