Extreme nose-down attitude
Since 2000, several incidents have involved extreme nose-down attitudes during the go-around maneuver on different types of airplanes from different manufacturers. These incidents often result from a breakdown in correct cockpit instrument scanning. Here are some examples:
After the PF initiated a manual go-around at night over the sea, at 1,000 feet (305 meters), the PF kept a prolonged pitch-down input resulting in a 15-degree nose-down attitude and a dive that was not recovered before the impact with the sea. The amplitude and duration of the initial reaction by the PF to the “pull-up” warning from the ground proximity warning system (GPWS) was insuficient (i.e., a full back stick input was required).
After the PF initiated a manual go-around in instrument conditions, and approaching 2,500 feet (762 meters), the ight director altitude capture mode was activated earlier than expected by the crew because of a high rate of climb. The PF manually initiated a level-off but kept a prolonged pitch-down input that resulted in a dive that reached an extreme negative attitude (minus 40 degrees). The PF recovered from the dive at about 400 feet (122 meters) above the ground with a vertical acceleration of 3.6 g-force (g).