Plane near road in failed landing

[Capt Claret]

By Megan Dillon, (world regarded) NT News :yuk: April 6th, 2011

A commercial plane was seen flying low over a busy Darwin road during a failed landing attempt early yesterday.

A thick cloud band brought the Jetstar aircraft too close to the ground. It was forced to rise again before landing safely at Darwin airport.

Airport spokeswoman Sharon Hoops said the practice was common with early-morning flights which often dealt with poor visibility.

"It happens all the time," she said.

"The plane approached to land and there were low clouds."

Ms Hoops said the plane came out of the clouds when the pilot realised he wasn't in line with the runway.

She said he was then forced to fly around the airport and try and land again. "It wasn't an emergency," she said.

A Darwin taxi driver, Peter, said he was driving to the airport when he saw the plane break through the clouds and come within 100 m of the road.

"I thought it was going to crash," he told ABC radio.

He said he thought the plane was going to land on Bagot Rd, Milner.

Some questions spring to mind.

How do I determine which clouds will bring me too close to the ground?

Why would the pilot choose to come out of the cloud when he realised he wasn't aligned with the runway, rather than rise again then?

Why was the pilot forced to do anything, did s/he (they) have NO choice in the matter?

Why not me? I've been flying in & out of Darwin for close to 20 years, and have yet to experience this phenomena that happens "all the time".

Was there no news yesterday?

[The Green Goblin]

Sounds to me like he was conducting a circling approach.

If you read the notams up there, the ILS has been unavailable due to WIP in the mornings, and the straight in minima unavailable for the VOR and NDB approaches.

If there was another cockup - I'd suggest to get it to AIPA and the good senator ASAP.

[Nose wheel first]

Sounds like another well researched, insightful piece of reporting from the NT News!

GG.... i'm pretty sure that Jetstar has a VERY robust reporting system and they take these sorts of events VERY seriously... BB and AJ said so on the 31st of March :rolleyes:
I'm sure that you can have complete confidence that IF there was anything to report it would have gone into Jetstar's robust safety system, and as we speak, will be the subject of careful consideration and a thorough investigation..... and it might even make it's way to the ATSB if you're lucky :)

[Stationair8]

The old low clouds near the airport trick, combine that with a road near the airport as well and hey presto it can get very tricky for the flight crew!

Perhaps with the recent heavy rain in Darwin, the runway may have floated away from its previous location?

No crocodile stories available that day for NT News?

[Dangnammit]

Just a question, how low can you go?



...as indicated on the plate that is...

[Capt Claret]

combine that with a road near the airport

Bagot Rd runs at right angles to the RWY.

Plate minima, assuming RWY11 VOR/NDB 500' on actual QNH.

[Tidbinbilla]

Was there a croc obstructing the runway, Claret?

Perhaps the NT News overlooked the fact?

[The Green Goblin]

Sounds like another well researched, insightful piece of reporting from the NT News!

GG.... i'm pretty sure that Jetstar has a VERY robust reporting system and they take these sorts of events VERY seriously... BB and AJ said so on the 31st of March
I'm sure that you can have complete confidence that IF there was anything to report it would have gone into Jetstar's robust safety system, and as we speak, will be the subject of careful consideration and a thorough investigation..... and it might even make it's way to the ATSB if you're lucky

Nice one mate :D

I trust you and the family are doing well :ok:

[Capn Bloggs]

Just a question, how low can you go?
As low as you need. :}

Sounds to me like he was conducting a circling approach.

If you read the notams up there, the ILS has been unavailable due to WIP in the mornings, and the straight in minima unavailable for the VOR and NDB approaches.
Err umm, mebee a Straight-in from the Circling minima?

Besides, who on earth would be doing circling approaches in jets any more?? Not your outfit, I hope, Claret! :E

[The Green Goblin]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dangnammit
Just a question, how low can you go?
As low as you need.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Green Gobbo
Sounds to me like he was conducting a circling approach.

If you read the notams up there, the ILS has been unavailable due to WIP in the mornings, and the straight in minima unavailable for the VOR and NDB approaches.
Err umm, mebee a Straight-in from the Circling minima?

Besides, who on earth would be doing circling approaches in jets any more?? Not your outfit, I hope, Claret!

Its Darwin ATC!!!! I'd be surprised if the jet wasn't given instructions to circle :E

[Stationair8]

It gets even more tricky for the flight crew when the road runs at right angles to the airport!

Imagine if it had been the old bagot locater approach?

Just as well it was Jetstar, imagine the clusterf#ck if it at had been one of the bottom feeders like Qantaslink or Scarenorth!

[tothepoint]

possibly avoided if experienced pilots with some time in the Territory (or somewhere in the bush) where hired. 150k can't buy situational awareness.

The only funny side I see to this.

If it was lined up for the Bagot community, would the plane be stripped in 5secs like an Antonov crash landing in Africa?

[RENURPP]

Its good to see the Jetstar guys are putting the wheels down these days. :oh:

[boeingwest]

What opposed to smacking them in like your lot RENURPP? :oh:

Hush my mouth

[nitpicker330]

I find it amazing they were able to successfully carry out a missed approach without stuffing it up...........:p

[RENURPP]

exactly!:p

f it was lined up for the Bagot community, would the plane be stripped in 5secs like an Antonov crash landing in Africa?
Not likley, might raid the beer cart though!:eek:

[Capt Claret]

The only way this story reflects poorly on any individual or organisation is the quality, or lack thereof, of the reporting, and quotes like, "it happens all the time". :rolleyes:

[Tarq57]

Agree with the above. Comments by the Ms Hoops like "the plane came out of the clouds when the pilot realised he wasn't in line with the runway." do little to reassure.
Why didn't she take the time to say what actually happened rather than dumbing it down for the media?

Of course, the possibility exists she doesn't understand the situation herself, I guess.

[Pinky the pilot]

Of course, the possibility exists she doesn't understand the situation herself, I guess.

I have never ever met a Journo who understood any part of Aviation to a level suitable to be able to report authoritively on any incident.

Would'nt even give them the time of the day!:mad:

[Tarq57]

The person the comment was attributed to was an airport spokeswoman.

Of course, she might be the cafeteria cleaner. Who knows?

[Tiburon peligroso]

So Pinky,

How many journo's have you actually met?

[Pinky the pilot]

So Pinky,
How many journo's have you actually met?

Probably about a dozen or so over the last 25 years.

[Nautilus Blue]

Journalist/Spokesperson bashing aside (deserved or otherwise), I think the shallowness of the approach catches many of the general public out. People see an aircraft "100 meters" up and assume its only meters (longitudinally) from touchdown. Hence any number of "amazingly low..." videos on youtube. As usual, its not that people don't know, it's that they don't know they don't know.

[Tarq57]

So as well as performing the admirable public duty of generating fear and paranoia among the masses, they also do a good job of keeping us ignorant, while professing the opposite.