Summary
On 17 January 2017, a serious incident occurred involving a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, registration OK-TVX, operated by Travel Service a.s. The flight (TVS7337) was en route from Las Palmas/Gran Canaria (GCLP) to Gdańsk (EPGD). The incident took place within the TMA/CTR/AD EPGD area. All 136 persons on board were uninjured.
Event Sequence
From approximately 16:00 UTC on 17 January 2017, Gdańsk Airport (EPGD) was conducting Category II (CAT II) operations. At 18:42 UTC, the pilot of the landing Boeing 737-800 reported a go-around due to insufficient radio altimeter indications in the touchdown zone (275 m). The pilot contacted Gdańsk Approach and initially decided to divert to Poznań (EPPO). After determining an insufficient fuel reserve, the pilot changed this decision. At 18:55 UTC, Gdańsk Approach informed Gdańsk Tower that flight TVS7337 had declared "minimum fuel" and requested to land at Gdańsk. At 19:00 UTC, Gdańsk Approach further informed the tower that the pilot had declared an emergency, reporting 136 persons on board and 2 tonnes of fuel remaining. The airport activated the Danger Phase "air" for airport services. Departures from EPGD were halted. Preliminary coordination was made with Gdynia-Oksywie/Babie Doły aerodrome (EPOK), where meteorological conditions were significantly better (visibility over 10 km, scattered clouds at 2600 ft), for a possible landing. The aircraft landed at EPGD at 19:06 UTC and taxied without problems to the assigned stand. The emergency landing did not cause delays in passenger traffic. At the time of landing, runway visual range (RVR) readings were: touchdown zone 900 m, mid-point 375 m, stop end 125 m.
Probable Cause
The most probable cause of the event was incorrect fuel reserve calculation.
Contributing Circumstances
Difficult meteorological conditions in the area of the destination airport (EPGD).
Post-Incident Actions
No preventive actions by the operator were reported. The investigation did not result in any safety recommendations or systemic change proposals.