What happened
While approaching Sydney Airport, the flight crew encountered crosswinds reaching 30 kt. As the aircraft descended through 500 ft above mean sea level, air traffic control indicated a right crosswind component of 10 kt, which was within the first officer's operational limits. The first officer was acting as the pilot flying (PF) during this phase.
Upon reaching 50 ft, the first officer initiated a flare that resulted in an extended float along the runway. During this period, the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline because the control inputs did not sufficiently counteract the crosswind. Due to this lateral deviation, the captain commanded a go-around just before touchdown.
This sudden transition from landing to a missed approach caused significant cognitive load. The captain experienced a stress response due to the unexpected nature of the maneuver. In response to the rapid increase in pitch, thrust, and airspeed, the captain instinctively moved their sidestick while the first officer was still flying, triggering a dual-input alert. The captain subsequently took full control of the aircraft. The sudden shift in roles and the need to manage the dual-input alert led to the crew performing certain go-around tasks, such as flap retraction, out of their standard sequence.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the crew's response to the lateral deviation and the subsequent handling of the go-around. Investigators examined the physiological and cognitive effects of the sudden change in flight phase, noting that the captain's instinctive sidestick movement was a reaction to the rapid changes in aircraft attitude. The investigation also looked into how the handover of control and the rapid task-switching between the pilot flying and pilot monitoring roles contributed to the procedural deviations observed during the climb.
Findings
- The first officer's control inputs during a prolonged float failed to maintain the aircraft on the runway centerline.
- The captain's inadvertent sidestick manipulation caused a dual-input alert during the go-around.
- The sudden requirement to execute a go-around near the ground caused a disruption in the crew's sequential execution of flight procedures.