The latest ATSB report is worth reading. It took nearly two years to produce. I recall media reports at the time where residents were startled to literally feel a low flying wide-body barely 500 feet above their houses.
Investigation: AO-2011-086 - Operational non-compliance involving Boeing 777, HS-TKD, 15 km south Melbourne Airport, Vic, 24 July 2011
To have a Thai Airways Boeing 777 so low on final at such a long way out during an attempt at Melbourne runway 34 VOR/DME approach is frightening. This is a basic instrument approach which any general aviation pilot could do without drama. It proves what most professional pilots already suspect and that is just because you fly a bloody great jet transport does not necessarily mean you are a good pilot. The above report included reference to another Thai Airways 777 which flew dangerously low on final while trying to fly the Melbourne 16 NDB. Nothing wrong with the automatics but something seriously amiss with the competency of both captains. Of course, that view does not appear in the official reports by ATSB.
