B737 Captain reported on final approach the new hire First Officer allowed the aircraft to drift off extended runway centerline significantly; resulting in a go-around. The First Officer reported they had expected the aircraft would be properly aligned after removal of crosswind correction.
Synopsis
B737 Captain reported on final approach the new hire First Officer allowed the aircraft to drift off extended runway centerline significantly; resulting in a go-around. The First Officer reported they had expected the aircraft would be properly aligned after removal of crosswind correction.
Narrative
I was conducting OE with a new hire pilot that I just inherited from another Line Check Airman. This was our first flight together. This First Officer has a history of not landing on the centerline. He disconnected the autopilot at approximately 400 ft. above the ground and then allowed the aircraft to drift right of extended runway centerline. I called out 'centerline and then told him to correct the aircraft. This individual made no effort to correct the misaligned aircraft. He was going to land so far right of centerline that I was unsure if our right main gear would be on the runway. Around 50 ft. I said 'go-around'. He flew the go-around and were given vectors for another approach. ATC asked the reason for the go-around and I responded that it was due to an unstable approach. He flew the second approach and landed on centerline but very hard. As we were taxiing to the gate we were asked again what the reason for the go-around was. The First Officer responded with vague and non-standard verbiage of 'right seat error'."
Second reporter narrative
First Officer; Pilot Flying (PF) did not correctly align with the runway; the error was not recognized by the PF due to my expectation that the aircraft would be properly aligned upon removal of the crosswind correction. The Captain; Pilot Monitoring (PM) directed a go-around for an unstable approach. The PF executed an SOP go-around (the aircraft did not touch down) and the flight was given radar vectors to a 15 mile ILS final for the second attempt. During the second approach; the PF was better aligned but the flare was inadequate for a Flaps 40 landing and a firm landing occurred. The CA wrote up the aircraft for a hard landing upon reaching the gate. The incident was thoroughly debriefed at the gate.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.