What happened
On May 8, 1997, China Southern Airlines Flight 3456, a Boeing 737-31B registered as B-2925, departed Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport for Shenzhen Huangtian Airport. The flight encountered severe thunderstorms upon arrival in Shenzhen. During the initial approach to Runway 33, the aircraft touched down hard on the southern section of the runway, causing a bounce and significant damage to the nose gear and hydraulic systems. The crew initiated a go-around.
During the climb-out for the second attempt, the aircraft's transponder failed to respond to air traffic control radar. The crew declared an emergency and requested clearance for another approach. Upon the second landing attempt toward the south, the aircraft skidded off the runway end, broke apart into three sections, and caught fire. The incident resulted in 35 fatalities (2 crew members and 33 passengers) among those on board.
Investigation
The investigation revealed that the first landing attempt had caused critical structural damage. Debris from the nose gear, including a blown tire, was found scattered near the southern end of the runway during the first touch down. During the second approach, the aircraft's hydraulic system warnings and gear warnings were active in the cockpit. The failure of the transponder to transmit signals during the go-around phase complicated air traffic control tracking. The weather conditions included heavy rain, low visibility, and strong winds associated with a thunderstorm.
Findings
The crash was primarily attributed to the crew's decision to continue the approach despite severe weather conditions and the loss of aircraft controllability following the first hard landing. The structural damage sustained during the initial touchdown compromised the aircraft's ability to land safely on the second attempt. Contributing factors included the adverse weather, which reduced visibility and runway friction, and the subsequent failure of critical systems due to the impact forces of the first landing.