What happened
On July 4, 2000, at 13:57 UTC, a MALEV Hungarian Airlines TU-154B-2, registration HA-LCR, was performing a landing approach to runway 28 at Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport. The aircraft, carrying 86 passengers and 8 crew members, was executing a VOR/DME approach following a previous instruction to use the downwind leg of runway 28 due to construction on runway 34.
During the final stages of the approach at approximately 60ft, the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) instructed the crew to perform a go-around because the landing gear was not in the down position. However, before the maneuver could be completed, the aircraft made contact with the runway 1,100 meters from the threshold. The aircraft then slid along the pavement for 650 meters, causing the fuselage to scrape the surface. This excursion resulted in sparks, smoke, and significant damage, including the detachment of portions of the flaps and the activation of the aircraft's fire extinguishers.
Following the initial excursion, the crew performed a go-around. During this phase, the pilot failed to follow ATC instructions to proceed to the northern holding pattern, instead heading to the southern holding. The aircraft eventually completed a successful landing on a subsequent attempt after the runway had been cleared of debris.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, cockpit communications, and air traffic control procedures. The board reviewed radar data, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), and the maintenance history of the aircraft. The inquiry focused on why the aircraft failed to maintain a stabilized approach, the failure to deploy the landing gear, and the breakdown in communication between the flight crew and the tower during the emergency phase.
Findings
- The pilot executed a tight circuit that resulted in an unstabilized approach, necessitating complex S-shaped maneuvers at low altitude to align with the runway.
- The crew failed to deploy the landing gear according to standard operating procedures, and the landing checklist was not properly completed.
- The aircraft's landing gear warning chime had been deactivated by the crew, preventing an audible alert when the gear remained retracted.
- There was a lack of effective Crew Resource Management (CRM), as the co-pilot did not monitor or remind the commander of missed checklist items.
- ATC instructions to extend the downwind leg were not followed by the flight crew.
- The controller did not immediately order a go-around when it became apparent the pilot was not complying with approach instructions, which could have prevented the unstable condition.
- During the emergency following the excursion, the pilot issued multiple PAN-PAN signals, but communication with the tower was hindered by the controller's focus on runway clearing and other traffic.