Synopsis
On 17 August 2015, Jet Airways flight 9W-555, a Boeing 737-800W registered VT-JFA, operated a scheduled service from Doha, Qatar, to Cochin, India. The flight crew, consisting of a captain and a first officer, were duly qualified. The aircraft carried 142 passengers and 8 crew members.
The flight was uneventful until the approach into Cochin. Due to low clouds below the decision altitude on the ILS approach to runway 27, the crew executed three go-arounds. After the third go-around, the fuel remaining was insufficient for the designated alternate, Bangalore, so the crew redesignated Trivandrum as the alternate. The aircraft then diverted to Trivandrum.
History of the Flight
Upon contact with Trivandrum ATC, the reported visibility was 1500 meters. The crew were cleared for a VOR/DME approach to runway 14. They could not establish visual contact at the minimum descent altitude and initiated a go-around (fourth overall). Due to low fuel (below 1300 kg), the crew declared MAYDAY. The captain requested a visual approach for runway 14. Two more visual approaches failed to establish visual contact, resulting in additional go-arounds (fifth and sixth). Finally, on the seventh approach, the aircraft landed on runway 32. After engine shutdown, 349 kg of fuel remained. The crew refueled and continued to Cochin, landing safely.
No injuries to occupants or damage to the aircraft were reported. The incident was initially reported to the DGCA, and later the AAIB classified it as a serious incident and ordered an investigation.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident, as stated in the report, was the inability of the flight crew to correctly assess the weather conditions at Cochin and not to initiate a timely diversion, leading to the aircraft being forced to carry out an emergency landing at Trivandrum due to low fuel.