What happened
On January 17, 2017, a Boeing 737-800, registration OK-TVX, operated by Travel Service a.s., was performing flight TVS7337 from Las Palmas/Gran Canaria (GCLP) to Gdańsk (EPGD). During the approach, which was being conducted under CAT II conditions, the pilot initiated a missed approach at approximately 18:42 UTC due to unreliable radio altimeter readings, which showed an altitude of 275 meters at the decision height.
Following the missed approach, the pilot initially notified Gdańsk Approach of the intention to divert to the alternate airport in Poznań (EPPO). However, upon assessing the remaining fuel, the crew determined that they did not have sufficient reserves to reach the alternate. Consequently, the flight declared a "minimum fuel" status, and shortly thereafter, an EMERGENCY was declared at 19:00 UTC. The aircraft was carrying 136 passengers and approximately 2 tons of fuel. Due to the emergency, an "airborne" phase of danger was declared for airport services, and departures from EPGD were temporarily suspended. Coordination was established with Gdynia-Babie Doły (EPOK) as a potential alternative, though the aircraft ultimately landed at Gdańsk at 19:06 UTC and taxied to its stand without further incident.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the sequence of events leading from the missed approach to the emergency landing. The investigation reviewed the meteorological conditions at EPGD, the radio altimeter readings during the approach, and the fuel management decisions made by the crew.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an incorrect calculation of fuel reserves.
- Difficult meteorological conditions at the destination airport, Gdańsk, contributed to the situation.
- The missed approach was necessitated by insufficient radio altimeter indications during the CAT II operation.