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-   -   SWA 737 overrun at BUR - Dec 6 2018 (https://www.pprune.org/accidents-close-calls/616111-swa-737-overrun-bur-dec-6-2018-a.html)

vilas 12th Dec 2018 03:33


If the undershoot is flat you can duck under to get extra distance. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you're close to the margain...
The very fact that you feel that the approch requires something which is not done is a message that you shouldn't be landing there. Short runway, limit tail wind which could easily go over the limit, heavy rain can make the braking action poorer than imagined and control of flight path difficult these are too many variables which can prevent a successful outcome. Not a safe decision to continue the landing.

punkalouver 12th Dec 2018 03:40


Originally Posted by vilas (Post 10333658)
The very fact that you feel that the approch requires something which is not done is a message that you shouldn't be landing there. Short runway, limit tail wind which could easily go over the limit, heavy rain can make the braking action poorer than imagined and control of flight path difficult these are too many variables which can prevent a successful outcome. Not a safe decision to continue the landing.

Different type of operation, but when operating turboprops on short, snow covered remote airstrips years ago, we would almost always intentionally go below the Papi's on short final. No doing so was the higher risk decision.

Sailvi767 12th Dec 2018 11:42


Originally Posted by Meester proach (Post 10333330)
So if the performance data was OK, and you diverted where does that leave you ?
What could make a difference is local knowledge - does this runway feel like it actually meets the performance normally or not from past experience ?

i think the question is did they have the performance data. Was it updated with the large report of very heavy rain?

Check Airman 12th Dec 2018 12:29


Originally Posted by CHfour (Post 10333476)
"Not everyone's cup of tea" Really? If you try that one over on my side of the pond you'll find yourself in the Chief Pilot's office and there won't be any "cup of tea" (or any biscuits for that matter).

For exercising airmanship? In limiting conditions, many ppl will go 3 red on the PAPI at LGA or DCA for example (where your final approach is over water) to get a few extra feet of runway.

aterpster 12th Dec 2018 12:47


Originally Posted by Check Airman (Post 10333961)
For exercising airmanship? In limiting conditions, many ppl will go 3 red on the PAPI at LGA or DCA for example (where your final approach is over water) to get a few extra feet of runway.

At LGA if I did that in the 1011, I'd be risking leaving the main gear with the end of the pier.

West Coast 12th Dec 2018 15:10

That's where airmenship comes into play. Long body/heavy perhaps not, narrow body perhaps yes.

meleagertoo 12th Dec 2018 15:23


Originally Posted by Meester proach (Post 10333330)
So if the performance data was OK, and you diverted where does that leave you ?
What could make a difference is local knowledge - does this runway feel like it actually meets the performance normally or not from past experience ?

Alive and still in posession of licence and job.

Check Airman 12th Dec 2018 16:02


Originally Posted by aterpster (Post 10333980)
At LGA if I did that in the 1011, I'd be risking leaving the main gear with the end of the pier.

I've seen Air Canada go to LGA with a 767-300. Not an assignment I'd be hurrying to take. In a narrowbody though, it's quite safe.

172_driver 12th Dec 2018 16:06


The very fact that you feel that the approch requires something which is not done is a message that you shouldn't be landing there. Short runway, limit tail wind which could easily go over the limit, heavy rain can make the braking action poorer than imagined and control of flight path difficult these are too many variables which can prevent a successful outcome. Not a safe decision to continue the landing.
I am aware of the realities we face in day to day operation, I am assuming we have a valid landing performance. With good visual references and decent knowledge where my under carriage is, I could easily buy myself a couple of hundred feet. What if the undershoot is a displaced threshold? As I said, not everyone's cup of tea.

PEI_3721 12th Dec 2018 18:04

172, ‘valid landing performance’, no such thing before the landing, only judgement of the unknowns: wet or flooded, what about all the conditions in between. Who measures / reports the conditions; the same with wind, at least +/- 2, so allow +/- 5.
There are few absolutes in flying other than the position where you stop; assumption kill, so concentrate on minimising all other variables, speed, touchdown, bakes, etc … .

FlightDetent 12th Dec 2018 18:17

There is no short landing technique on a jet this size. Arriving on a decreased angle (3 red) carries higher pitch, more thrust, flatter sink and in general results in a longer touchdown and a higher speed at wheel spin-up. After that, exactly the same sort of people who use the A word to cover gaps in competency or understanding, will immediately claim: see how tight this was? Lucky my skygod decision to go 3 reds, it saved us. Yeah.

Aiming closer to the threshold, steepening the angle in the last stages is more consistent with the intention. Why not, if you know how not to try too hard. Still, reducing geometrical margins on purpose, creating ad-hoc flying techniques, is not the road to a happy retirement.

Land it consistently, as much identical as your everyday approach. Consistency brings predictable results. The touchdown is usually decided between 150 and 50 feet above the ground. If a runway below 2000 m requires a different skill-set, then the one you have on the longer runways is not a correct one. (Placement of PAPI at 400 or 450 m beyond the THR, as opposed to 291 m where the G/S geometric intercept is, WILL create a wrong skill set for those who follow PAPI through to the landing).

The above is a comment to the discussion here, not the incident itself. We will see what the investigation reveals, however, "no landings beyond TDZ markings" is a sound principle. I am curious to see if it did not work in BUR?

One last note: the (lack of) friction over THR markers at the far end, when wet/snowed, is what makes this man uneasy. The last 60 m you might critically need, and as if they did not exist. I suppose everyone had a NW skid during line up once, for no apparent reason.

Airbubba 12th Dec 2018 18:54


Originally Posted by Check Airman (Post 10333961)
For exercising airmanship? In limiting conditions, many ppl will go 3 red on the PAPI at LGA or DCA for example (where your final approach is over water) to get a few extra feet of runway.


Originally Posted by aterpster (Post 10333980)
At LGA if I did that in the 1011, I'd be risking leaving the main gear with the end of the pier.

I've seen folks who brief that they want to drop a dot low on the glideslope on short final in widebodies 'since the weather is good'. Is this in the book anywhere? I get the impression that this 'technique' was taught in some Air Force communities (possibly the C-141) years ago.

Check Airman 12th Dec 2018 19:37


Originally Posted by Airbubba (Post 10334268)

I've seen folks who brief that they want to drop a dot low on the glideslope on short final in widebodies 'since the weather is good'. Is this in the book anywhere? I get the impression that this 'technique' was taught in some Air Force communities (possibly the C-141) years ago.

Not in any book that I've seen, but when landing on a short, wet runway as described above, most of the people I fly with decide against leaving the first thousand feet of the runway behind.

JPJP 12th Dec 2018 21:01


Originally Posted by Check Airman (Post 10334300)
Not in any book that I've seen, but when landing on a short, wet runway as described above, most of the people I fly with decide against leaving the first thousand feet of the runway behind.

True. Although, more commonly the mains are touching at or just before the 1000 foot markers. Rather that being in mid-flair there.

The expression used was ‘duck under’ (the glide path) on short final. The concept, and the expression were remarkably unpopular with the FAA due to the quite sensible requirement for a stabilsed approach. Ducking under was replaced with the more politically correct term of ‘adjusting the aim point’. Midway, Key West and Burbank are relevant examples.



The Ancient Geek 12th Dec 2018 22:42

This boils down to how much runway should be behind the touchdown point. When I were a lad, many moons ago, there were no piano keys and we were taught to aim for the numbers. The piano keys were introduced to reduce the incidence of landing short of the paved surface, thus "wasting" part of the runway. All modern aids such as ILS and PAPI are calibrated for the piano keys so the actual landing distance available is less than the runway length which can become an issue for shorter runways in poor weather conditions.
Should we aim shorter for the numbers in these cases ? - I will leave that can of worms for others to chew, the risks have not changed.
Aiming for a firm contact, avoiding greasers, is probably a better idea getting good weight on the wheels ASAP to improve braking.

Fursty Ferret 12th Dec 2018 22:47


. If a runway below 2000 m requires a different skill-set, than the one you have on the longer runways is not a correct one.
Absolutely spot on.

Vessbot 12th Dec 2018 23:02


Originally Posted by The Ancient Geek (Post 10334412)
This boils down to how much runway should be behind the touchdown point. When I were a lad, many moons ago, there were no piano keys and we were taught to aim for the numbers. The piano keys were introduced to reduce the incidence of landing short of the paved surface, thus "wasting" part of the runway. All modern aids such as ILS and PAPI are calibrated for the piano keys so the actual landing distance available is less than the runway length which can become an issue for shorter runways in poor weather conditions.
Should we aim shorter for the numbers in these cases ? - I will leave that can of worms for others to chew, the risks have not changed.
Aiming for a firm contact, avoiding greasers, is probably a better idea getting good weight on the wheels ASAP to improve braking.

Are you calling the 1000 foot markers the piano keys?

aterpster 13th Dec 2018 00:25


Originally Posted by West Coast (Post 10334094)
That's where airmenship comes into play. Long body/heavy perhaps not, narrow body perhaps yes.

Before I flew the 1011 into LGA I briefly flew the DC9-10 into there and many years flew the 727 into there. I wouldn't have considered a duck-under with the 727. The only difference the company touchdown zone for the narrow bodies was 500 feet closer to the threshold then with the 1011.

Capn Bloggs 13th Dec 2018 03:32


Originally Posted by Ancient Geek
All modern aids such as ILS and PAPI are calibrated for the piano keys Fixed Distance markings so the actual landing distance available is less than the runway length which can become an issue for shorter runways in poor weather conditions.

Apart from the mixup with Piano Keys and the Fixed Distance markings at 1000ft in, this statement isn't right. The LDR takes into account an air-run distance from 50ft to touchdown. In my aeroplane the air-run distance is 455m, almost 1500ft. "Duck under" and use part of that 455m to roll along on if you wish, but the LDR figures assume you will take 455m/1500ft to get the wheels on the ground.


Originally Posted by Flight Detent
Arriving on a decreased angle (3 red) carries higher pitch, more thrust, flatter sink and in general results in a longer touchdown and a higher speed at wheel spin-up.

I think those effects are overstated. But more importantly, flying three reds allow you to plant it with almost no flare. In my experience, it is the type of flare that is the thing that most-affects the touchdown point. Not that I am suggesting you routinely fly three reds! ;)

vilas 13th Dec 2018 04:08

No aircraft manufacturer or Company SOP suggests duck under technique nor does certified landing performance expects a pilot to do that. So there is simply no justification narrow body, wide body, turbo prop all included. If there is a runway which requires that then that type of aircraft should not be operating there. It is not proper to suggest unsafe alternate techniques to increase landing run for the present SWA case. If the touchdown was at proper distance then it will prove that the landing should not have been affected with so many limiting variable environmental and RW lenth factors.

172_driver 13th Dec 2018 07:20


No aircraft manufacturer or Company SOP suggests duck under technique nor does certified landing performance expects a pilot to do that. So there is simply no justification narrow body, wide body, turbo prop all included. If there is a runway which requires that then that type of aircraft should not be operating there. It is not proper to suggest unsafe alternate techniques to increase landing run for the present SWA case. If the touchdown was at proper distance then it will prove that the landing should not have been affected with so many limiting variable environmental and RW lenth factors
You are not giving us anything new. I think most pilots are aware of their type's "air distance" which the landing distance is predicated on. 455 m for the 737. The runway aiming point is 300 m for runways shorter than 2400 m, 450 m for longer runways. The TDZ lights (if installed) extend to 900 m or half the runway length, whichever is shorter. These are ICAO standards and taken from memory, if they're wrong., I would think BUR is close to it anyway. My point is, it's purely academic. Don't come and tell me you touch down half way down a wet runway 8, with 10 kts tail, and tell me it was a good landing cause it was in the TDZ!!! (not saying they did).

Do you ever operate on contaminated? Slush, dry snow, sanded, snow on ice... a combination of them all? The calculations show we are legal, but we all know the braking action is a best guess. My experience with 737 is the brakes are doing a great job. We often stop much shorter than the app tells us. But 1800 m in a 737-800 with contamination and a river at the far end is not the place to be "academic".

Check Airman 13th Dec 2018 07:31

For the sake of a good discussion, a question for those who are categorically against touching down a bit early- If on a bad wx day, your company builds a flightplan with the absolute legal minimum fuel, do you always accept fuel shown on the flightplan?

FlightDetent 13th Dec 2018 11:07

Oh come on, you can do better than that C/A. :}

Different game: On your A/C type for an ILS approach, when everything is perfectly aligned, the RA auto-calls "50" when the pilot seat is over the THR markings (piano keys) - TRUE or FALSE? (it's not an open book question). Close your eyes and say it .... ?

Yet to give you an answer, I am sure everyone does a bit more pushing on the short runways and tries to tweak it closer to the tarmac edge.

The point made is the correct normal technique will suffice: 291 m aim-point, 450 m (-50/+25) touch-down point, Vref to Vref -5. The best a pilot can do to be safe and effective on short runways is to practice on the longer ones to get that skill perfected.

https://i.postimg.cc/XXjhTKGP/TDZ-area.jpg (clickable image)

This is where I earned my first stripes - LDA 3400ish. The rubber marks paint a picture where many of the pilots are in true need of a different technique for the shorter runways. No denying that.

Maybe we can see a picture from your side of the world.

Fair_Weather_Flyer 13th Dec 2018 11:52

If you land the aircraft in the way the Boeing, training manual specifies you will attain the required landing performance every time. No need to have a separate short field or long runway technique. Do it the same every time and the performance requirements will be met. Now, there is room for error and the wiggle room the performance calculations give you is less on wet runways and almost nothing on contaminated. You’ve also got to make 100% certain the auto speed brake deploys, the auto brakes activate, and the reversers which may normally only be brought to idle are used straight away, at maximum reverse. If you land long and/or one of the autobrake, speedbrake or reversers are not activated, an overrun may well be on the cards. Read through the NTSB reports on the AA 757 overrun, at Vale, the SWA, Midway overrun and the Eastern, La Guardia 737 overrun to see how a short runway and a braking system failure or late selection can cause trouble fast.

172_driver 13th Dec 2018 12:15


If you land the aircraft in the way the Boeing, training manual specifies you will attain the required landing performance every time. No need to have a separate short field or long runway technique.
Not necessairly on contaminated, as those who have operated on them can testify.

Fair_Weather_Flyer 13th Dec 2018 12:31

I suppose you are right 172 driver. The biggest problem with contaminated runways is that when you are in dynamic situation i.e it’s starting to snow or raining heavily it can be hard to know when the runway is contaminated and what the braking actions are. It’s not not like there is someone measuring the contaminant depth or checking the braking action every few seconds. Pilot, reports are not reliable either. Maybe the SWA pilots, thought that the braking action was better than it truly was.

I don’t know much about performance as a subject, other that it is kind of vague.

172_driver 13th Dec 2018 12:48


The biggest problem with contaminated runways is that when you are in dynamic situation i.e it’s starting to snow or raining heavily it can be hard to know when the runway is contaminated and what the braking actions are
Exactly that. It's not an exact science. And we do divert when the numbers are really down, but we can't divert for every reported reduction of braking action. So where do we draw the line in the sand? Pilot discretion. However, one tool you have at your disposal is is to drop down a bit below your normal descent path and touchdown earlier than what the performance app assumes - i.e. " duck under". Done with caution, not a big deal on the 737. I won't speak for longer bodies. However, that discussion was equivalent to opening a can of worms.

Check Airman 13th Dec 2018 14:01


Originally Posted by FlightDetent (Post 10334736)
Oh come on, you can do better than that C/A. :}

Different game: On your A/C type for an ILS approach, when everything is perfectly aligned, the RA auto-calls "50" when the pilot seat is over the THR markings (piano keys) - TRUE or FALSE? (it's not an open book question). Close your eyes and say it .... ?

Yet to give you an answer, I am sure everyone does a bit more pushing on the short runways and tries to tweak it closer to the tarmac edge.

The point made is the correct normal technique will suffice: 291 m aim-point, 450 m (-50/+25) touch-down point, Vref to Vref -5. The best a pilot can do to be safe and effective on short runways is to practice on the longer ones to get that skill perfected.

https://i.postimg.cc/XXjhTKGP/TDZ-area.jpg (clickable image)

This is where I earned my first stripes - LDA 3400ish. The rubber marks paint a picture where many of the pilots are in true need of a different technique for the shorter runways. No denying that.

Maybe we can see a picture from your side of the world.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....3829477977.jpg
As you can see here, many folks going into LGA prefer to add a buffer to the landing distance available. Couldn't find a similar picture for DCA.

FlightDetent 13th Dec 2018 14:50

In response to to 172

A cautious duck under as you describe it (= closer choice of the aiming point for purists) is surely not a sin. 172 we are in agreement it is part of the duty even, to make sure all the odds are in our favour.

My aeroplane on the G/S has 30 ft RA margin over the THR, leaving
- 10' for me not being accurate
- 10' for a gust or shear
- 10' before the making news.

Geometrically, G/S intersects 291 meters deep. To keep at least 20' screen, aiming for the 200 m point is the shortest sensible option. The extra 90 meters is not a negligible distance, sure. Still, it is a straw-man. Only the touchdown point and speed count. Both are defined by the speed vector at 50' more or less, bit by individual flare technique and largely by correct thrust reduction for the landing.

If we point the A/C steadily to the correct point (not short) between 150-50 feet AGL, cross the THR on the G/S and retard the thrust to idle by 15', the proper touchdown distance is always assured. Mr. Newton and mother Earth will take care of that.

One way to mess things up is to fiddle with thrust through a non-standard flare, having decided at 70' to do something creative. Not aiming short(er) never caused an overrun.

FlightDetent 13th Dec 2018 16:34

Without any real intention, just a few pictures.
- the red dot is 3° intersect, i.e. instrument aiming point
- the blue line is the PAPI reference
- the green field is 400-475 meters from THR

(There are some unusual things about Burbank)

Burbank 8
https://i.postimg.cc/901gt54R/BUR-tdz.jpg

Regan 19
https://i.postimg.cc/022B5Q3p/DCA-tdz.png

LaGuardia 22
https://i.postimg.cc/Y96s0mMx/LGA-tdz22.jpg

Kingston 19
https://i.postimg.cc/h40YqxCD/MBJ-tdz.png

Toronto 24L
https://i.postimg.cc/rmXHq9Xm/YYZ-tdz.jpg

Sweet Home 24
https://i.postimg.cc/j2Rk7djY/TDZ-area.jpg

misd-agin 13th Dec 2018 17:26

Let's not kid ourselves, shorter runways require different flying. Aim point and touchdown take a higher priority vs trying to land smoother. The touchdown zone where the landing is required is 1/3 of the landing distance or the first 3000'. With a 5802' runway the requirement to be on the ground is 1930'. How many regular landings go around if they're not down by the 2000' mark? None. Shorten the runway to 5100' and the go-around requirement reduces to 1700'. How many normal runway landings go-around if they're not on the runway by 1700' from the threshold? Answer: none.

FlightDetent 13th Dec 2018 18:33

Shorter runways require correct flying, whereas the long runways don't, absolutely.

Full points on the priorities, not so much about the touchdown zone. Although we say the touch-down zone is the first 1/3 or 3000 ft (shorter of), it is not how the aeroplane should be landed.

Touching down at 3000 ft (1000 meters ffs!) on a 9000 runway is NOT ok. To keep the performance data valid the ILS receiver passes the THR at 50', going for 955 ft (291m) intersect point against the pavement. The normal touchdown ensues around 450 m (1500 ft), anything beyond 600 m is not correctly done. Irrespective of runway length. Sure, we've all done it multiple times and nothing was compromised but it is not playing by the rules.


Somewhere in Germany - pure ICAO Annex 14 standard for runways 1500-2399 m. Four distance markers.
LDA 2180 m of which 1/3 is 730. 5x markers would be appropriate to show the 1/3rd "touchdown" zone.

https://i.postimg.cc/ZKYZpJ9c/PAD-tdz.png

FlightDetent 13th Dec 2018 19:18

Back on the topic of the SWA over-run itself.

Red point
= nominal 3° slope intersect with pavement (assuming 50' at THR)

Green field
= expected landing area as per FCOM and AFM/performance assumptions

Blue area
= conventional understanding of touchdown zone (1/3rd of the runway here)

Magenta line
= actual position of the PAPI

Note: according to ICAO Annex 14 there should only be 4 distance markers for this runway length.

https://i.postimg.cc/05m52n6q/Burbank-distances.png

The crew should fight nails and teeth to use this in their defence. The PAPI will take you 600 feet beyond the proper aiming point, and the last two distance markers on the pavement are nothing but a deathtrap.

Comments?

underfire 13th Dec 2018 20:06

On the the charts it notes that VGSI and ILS are not coincident.

VGSI at 3 degrees has 72' TCH
ILS at 3 degrees has 60' TCH.

That extra 12 feet puts you quite a ways down the runway.....228 feet to be exact.

Note: FAA does not use ICAO standards.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0d76e2292a.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....aebff801f4.jpg

ManaAdaSystem 13th Dec 2018 20:19


Originally Posted by FlightDetent (Post 10335076)
Back on the topic of the SWA over-run itself.

Red point
= glide-slope intersect with pavement

Green field
= expected landing zone as per FCOM and AFM/performance assumptions

Blue area
= conventional understanding of touchdown zone (1/3rd of the runway here)

Magenta line
= actual position of the PAPI

Note: according to ICAO Annex 14 there should only be 4 distance markers for this runway length.

https://i.postimg.cc/05m52n6q/Burbank-distances.png

The crew should fight nails and teeth to use this in their defence. The PAPI will take you 600 feet beyond the proper aiming point, and the distance markers on the pavement are nothing but a deathtrap.

Comments?

Comments?
I think it is safe to say you have never landed 60 tons of 737-800 on a 1800 m snow covered runway with BA Medium.
When you have done this exercise, please return with your fancy theories and tell us you don’t want as much runway ahead
of you as possible when you touch down.
ONE focus only, get the wheels on the ground as early as possible, very little flare, spoliers, reverse and brakes. STOP.
Breathe.




CurtainTwitcher 13th Dec 2018 20:27


Originally Posted by Underfire
That extra 12 feet puts you quite a ways down the runway.....

Isn't it actually 22' compared to the 50'AGL crossing height assumed for the landing performance? I make that approx 22x 20* = 480' or about 135m reduction in runway available. That takes the effective landing distance down to slightly under 1700m, assuming that you are exactly on the visual slope. Not a lot of runway in the wet on that machine.

A recent report on a over-run near miss in Christchurch shows what effect just a little bit of ponding can do to the braking action: Reduced braking effectiveness during landing involving Boeing 737-800, VH-VOP at Christchurch Airport, New Zealand on 11 May 2015

*3 degrees is 5% = 20 x factor

underfire 13th Dec 2018 21:10

In design, we begin with a 3 degree GS with a 50 TCH. Usually, due to obstacles in the approach, the TCH is raised up. This is not encouraged because of the issues with the lights, markings, and runway length. Some procedures keep the 50 ' TCH and use a higher glideslope..this helps with some of the issues.

Looking at the chart, the ILS and RNAV TCH are both 60. The VGSI is set at 3 degrees with 72 TCH, so if you follow that, you are really long...

This airport is funny, looking at the missed, it requires 340/nm climb rate, tough to do in the heat...the reason? The controlling obstacle in the missed is the folded wings monument to aviation!

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....a312184f63.jpg


Look at SFO, especially after the accident, multiple TCH

Check Airman 13th Dec 2018 21:23

Having a senior moment here gents. On Jepp charts, is the TCH based on the GS or PAPI?

CurtainTwitcher 13th Dec 2018 21:38

Glideslope

underfire 13th Dec 2018 21:38

at BUR both the GS and PAPI use a 3 degree GPA....

The TCH places the GPA height at the Threshold.


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