Recently from an experienced jet transport captain. Scenario: Boeing 737-300 on final to Phuket, Thailand. Severe Cb over airport. Captain presses on. Heavy rain and windshear at very short final. Windshear drifts aircraft well off centreline where terrain rises. With loss of forward vision due to low cloud and rain obscuring view, the aircraft goes around well below the MDA and goes through tree tops.
Landing gear doors are ripped away and one engine ingests tree branches causing engine failure. Due poor visibility ATC unable to see aircraft.
Crew calls ATC and advises diverting to Surat Thani airport approx. 60 miles away due weather. What is not mentioned to ATC is the 737 is departing with landing gear down and on one engine. Aircraft is light enabling the single engine climb with gear down. Aircraft lands Surat Thani and ATC none the wiser. Servicing crew flown in next day.
Now was this the fertile imagination of an enthusiastic simulator instructor? Or did this really happen and covered up?
