Incident Overview
American Flight 844, en route to Harlingen, was informed by the company dispatcher via ACARS that the destination was experiencing unexpected fog. The reported weather at that time indicated a ceiling of 300 feet obscured and visibility of one-half mile. As the flight began descending from flight level 310 at 2335, the same conditions persisted.
Approach Attempts
When the flight was cleared for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 17R, Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) advised that the weather had deteriorated to a ceiling of 200 feet obscured and visibility of three-eighths mile with fog. The approach minimums for this procedure were a 200-foot ceiling and one-half mile visibility. The crew attempted two approaches using the autopilot, but both resulted in missed approaches due to the weather.
The crew initially began to divert to an alternate airport. However, they received an updated weather report via ACARS indicating improving conditions, prompting a third ILS approach. After activating the runway lights, the captain hand-flew the approach. During the transition to a visual approach, the descent rate increased, and the aircraft touched down short of the runway. This caused damage to the landing gear and the approach lights. The crew initiated a go-around and subsequently diverted without further incident.
Weather Observations
A company weather observer stationed at Harlingen recorded the weather at 0010 as 200 feet obscured and one-half mile visibility, and at 0018 as 100 feet obscured and one-quarter mile visibility. The crew did not contact this observer before conducting the approaches, which was required.