What happened
On 13 December 2013, a PT. Garuda Indonesia Airbus A330-200, registration PK-GPN, was performing a scheduled passenger flight from Bali to Tangerang. The flight, carrying 185 passengers and 13 crew members, encountered deteriorating weather conditions during its final approach to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
As the aircraft descended, the pilot transitioned from autopilot to manual flight at approximately 124 feet. Shortly after, the aircraft entered a zone of heavy rain that obscured the pilot's visual reference. Simultaneously, the wind shifted from westerly to southerly, with speeds increasing significantly. During the flare, the aircraft experienced a rightward roll and a prolonged float. The aircraft subsequently touched down with its right main landing gear on the runway shoulder, traveling 500 meters before returning to the pavement and taxiing to a stop due to a hydraulic issue.
The investigation
The KNKT examined flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) information, alongside aircraft systems and meteorological reports. The investigation focused on the aircraft's deviation from the centerline, the crew's landing techniques, the decision-making process regarding a potential go-around, and the accuracy of weather reporting.
Investigators noted that while the aircraft was airworthy and the crew was properly licensed, the approach became unstabilized. The investigation also reviewed the ATIS weather broadcasts provided prior to landing, which did not indicate significant weather changes, unlike the actual conditions experienced by the crew at low altitude.
Findings
- At approximately 90 feet A<br>AGL, the aircraft began rolling to the right at an average of 2 degrees for about 12 seconds, causing a lateral deviation.
- The pilot flying lost visual reference due to heavy rain impacting the windshield.
- The approach was unstabilized, characterized by a rightward drift and a prolonged flare, conditions that should have prompted a go-around.
- The decision to continue the landing was influenced by the lack of significant weather warnings in the recent ATIS broadcasts, which led to an expectation of stable conditions.
- The wind direction changed abruptly from westerly to southerly just before touchdown.
Safety action
Following the incident, PT. Garuda Indonesia issued a safety notice to all flight crews regarding the continuation of approaches below decision altitude/height. The KNKT issued several recommendations, including requests for the BMKG and AirNav Indonesia to improve the timeliness and accuracy of weather reporting to align with ICAO Annex 3 standards, and for the operator to enhance pilot training regarding manual control transitions during sudden environmental changes.