What happened
On 18 February 2022, a Raytheon B2/B200, registration VH-MVP, was performing a DME arrival into Lord Howe Island. Although the flight was under instrument flight rules, the pilot transitioned to a visual approach early in the sequence. The pilot implemented a "low early" profile, descending below the minimum descent altitude while still outside the standard circling area. During the approach, the aircraft entered a heavy rain shower, causing the pilot to lose visual contact with the runway threshold. Rather than executing a missed approach, the pilot continued the descent, resulting in an unstable approach with significant lateral displacement from the centerline. The aircraft eventually touched down to the left of the runway on the runway strip.
The investigation
The investigation examined the meteorological conditions and the pilot's flight path. While initial automated weather data suggested suitable conditions, the actual weather at the time of arrival involved heavy rain and limited visibility. ADS-B data indicated that the pilot likely did not maintain the required visual references during the approach, as the aircraft tracked parallel to the centerline but significantly south of it. The investigation also noted that the pilot's decision to avoid a missed approach was based on a personal assessment that the surrounding high terrain posed too great a risk during a go-around.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in marginal weather conditions characterized by heavy rain and reduced visibility.
- The pilot failed to initiate a missed approach after losing visual contact with the runway.
- The approach was unstable, failing to meet the operator's established criteria for a stabilized landing.
- The pilot utilized a non-standard approach pattern, turning onto a straight-in final less than the required 3 NM from the threshold.
- The pilot's intent was to descend below the weather as early as possible, which increased the risk of terrain separation issues.