What happened
The aircraft was conducting an instrument landing system final approach when it encountered a rain shower that significantly reduced visibility. According to pilot reports, all forward visibility was lost during this phase of flight. The captain assumed control from the first officer and initiated a go-around maneuver.
Prior to the initiation of the go-around, the aircraft had touched down short of the intended runway threshold and to the right of the overrun area. During this unintended touchdown, one main landing gear truck struck an approach lighting junction box. At least one main gear tire was blown at that moment. The aircraft subsequently landed safely, but the crew remained unaware that they had initially touched down short.
The investigation
Post-landing inspection revealed damage to several components on the underside of the aircraft, caused by fragments from the blown tires. Weather conditions at the time included gusty winds and a slight wind shear. The aircrew had previously received formal wind shear training. The captain had approximately 4,500 hours in the Boeing 747, while the first officer had about 50 hours in type.
Findings
The incident highlights the challenges of landing in low-visibility conditions with wind shear. Despite formal training, the crew experienced a loss of visual reference that led to an undetected short touchdown before correcting with a go-around. The mechanical damage was limited to the landing gear area and underside components due to tire debris.