What happened
The pilot was conducting a Category I Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 34L at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), having departed from Honolulu (HNL). During the final phase of the descent, the pilot reported losing visual reference to the runway environment while at 300 feet above ground level (AGL). Although he expected to see the runway at this altitude, it was not yet visible. At approximately 200 feet AGL, the pilot finally spotted the runway surface located roughly 150 feet to the left of his intended flight path.
At this critical moment, the pilot experienced a complete loss of depth perception. Despite recognizing the misalignment, he evaluated the option of executing a missed approach but determined that there was sufficient altitude remaining to maneuver the aircraft back into alignment with the runway centerline. While attempting to correct the trajectory and align the aircraft, the left engine (Engine No. 1) struck the runway surface. The impact created a gouge in the pavement measuring between 50 and 60 feet in length and one inch in depth.
The investigation
Post-accident analysis focused heavily on the pilot's physiological state and decision-making process during the final moments of the approach. Investigators reviewed the pilot's duty time records for the 30 hours preceding the accident. The data revealed that the pilot had been on duty for 18 hours and 30 minutes and had flown for 13 hours and 25 minutes during that period. Although he had been off-duty for 11 hours and 24 minutes prior to the flight, he reported sleeping only one hour during that rest period.
Findings
The accident was primarily caused by pilot error in the form of a failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during a visual segment of an instrument approach. This misalignment resulted from a loss of depth perception after initially seeing the runway offset from the aircraft's path. Contributing to this error was fatigue, evidenced by the pilot's extensive duty time and significantly inadequate rest prior to the flight. The decision to continue the approach rather than execute a missed approach, despite being aware of the lateral displacement, further compounded the risk.
Safety message
This incident highlights the critical importance of adhering to missed approach procedures when visual references are lost or when the runway is not clearly aligned with the aircraft's position at low altitudes. Pilots must also recognize the severe cognitive impacts of fatigue and ensure adequate rest periods to maintain situational awareness and depth perception during complex maneuvers.