What happened
On 11 October 2019, an Embraer ERJ 190-200 LR, registration SP-LNO, operated by PLL LOT, was arriving at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA) from Brussels. During the landing on runway 33, the aircraft encountered a crosswind of up to 15 knots, causing the aircraft to lose direction and touch down with a vertical acceleration of 1.96 g. This resulted in a bounced landing.
The pilot flying (the First Officer) initiated a go-around procedure but failed to follow standard operating protocols. Specifically, the pilot did not press the TO/GA button and did not use standard phraseology. While attempting to increase thrust, the aircraft's pitch angle increased sharply to 32.2°, and the climb rate reached 4,384 ft/min. As the aircraft climbed, the airspeed dropped significantly to 95 kt, triggering the "Stick Shaker" and stall warning systems. The crew performed an upset recovery maneuver, eventually activating the Flight Guidance Control System (FGCS) by pressing the TO/GA button. The aircraft subsequently completed a second, uneventful approach and landed safely.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the flight data, cockpit crew composition, and the sequence of pilot actions during the landing and subsequent climb. The investigation looked into the crew's adherence to the "Bounced Landing Recovery" and "Go-Around" procedures, as well as the role of the pilot monitoring (the Captain) in supervising the maneuver. The commission also reviewed the aircraft's weight and balance, noting that a cabin crew member was present in the cockpit to assist with balance requirements.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the incorrect execution of the "Bounced Landing Recovery" and "Go-Around" procedures.
- The pilot monitoring (the Captain) failed to intervene timely or correct the errors being made by the pilot flying.
- The pilot flying had relatively low experience on the Embraer aircraft type.
- The crew failed to use the TO/GA button, which prevented the Flight Guidance Control System from providing correct flight mode indications.
- The aircraft experienced a significant loss of airspeed and an excessive pitch angle due to improper thrust and trim management.
- Contributing factors included gusty crosswind conditions and a lack of effective crew coordination during the high-stress event.
Safety action
Following the investigation, the PKBWL issued four safety recommendations to the operator:
- Revise simulator training programs specifically for "Bounced Landing Recovery" and stall recovery at low altitudes.
- Implement a requirement that First Officers with less than 500 hours on the aircraft type must have their experience level communicated to the Captain.
- Introduce a limitation for inexperienced First Officers regarding landing in crosswind conditions, restricting them to half of the maximum allowable crosswind component.