Pilots Should Establish A Point After Which A Go-Around Is Not Possible

The FAA has released an Information For Operators document focused on the importance of establishing a point, during landing, where a go-around or aborted landing procedure will not be initiated and the only option will be bringing the aircraft to a stop.

The FAA cites an accident which occurred on July 31, 2008, about 0945 central daylight time, in which the pilots of a Hawker Beechcraft airplane crashed while attempting a go-around more than 17 seconds after touchdown on a 5,500’ runway. Two pilots and six passengers were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces. In addition, other accidents have occurred as a result of making a delayed decision to go-around after touchdown.

These accidents might have been prevented if the pilots had committed to the landings, rather than attempting to go around with insufficient runway available. The FAA has investigated the benefits and potential risks associated with incorporating a committed-to-stop point in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM). Unfortunately, operational factors are too numerous and varied to establish a single committed-to-stop point. However, establishing a point where a go-around or aborted landing will not be attempted would eliminate ambiguity for pilots making decisions during time-critical events. Because of this, operators are in the best position to make this determination for their operation and type aircraft they fly.

The FAA recommends that program managers (Part 91K); directors of safety and directors of operations (Part 121); directors of operations (part 135); training managers; and pilots should establish standard operating procedures (SOP) for aircrew to determine a point after touchdown where a go-around will not be initiated. The only option will be bringing the aircraft to a stop. Approved performance data and manufacturer’s procedures must be used to develop these procedures. They should be part of the approach briefing and adopted in initial/recurrent training, the operator’s SOP, flight operations manual, and Crew Resource Management (CRM) training programs.

FMI: www.faa.gov