Air carrier crew reported severe turbulence and an unstabilized approach when on the initial approach which resulted in altitude and speed exceedances. The crew performed a missed approach and diverted to an alternate airport.
Synopsis
Air carrier crew reported severe turbulence and an unstabilized approach when on the initial approach which resulted in altitude and speed exceedances. The crew performed a missed approach and diverted to an alternate airport.
Narrative
Had flown a reroute for an arrival arriving from the west coast of Florida and also held on the TEEKY arrival over PCOCK less than a full turn. ATC had cleared other aircraft to FLL ahead of our flight. At 2300 ft.; we were flaps 3 and landing gear down; when another aircraft had landed told FLL Tower they had severe turbulence at 2000 ft. Our aircraft was descending on the ILS and about the time we heard the information from the previous aircraft; our aircraft had a rapid trend indication downward below V l/s. A go around was initiated and we; too; experienced the severe turbulence during this phase; at least twice. There was never any wind shear warning or caution however the Autopilot disconnected itself due to the turbulence. It was a team effort between the Captain and me to get the aircraft stabilized and took a few minutes to accomplish. During the recovery time; we gained approximately 1700 ft. above the go around altitude and had to seek relief for altitude deviation and also had rapid airspeed acceleration above 250 kts. below 10;000 ft. I had to ask ATC to standby at least once; maybe twice; so that we could rebuild all the automation and get the aircraft stabilized from the turbulence and go around procedure. We did not have any over speed of flaps or gear during the recovery phase. Cause: Severe turbulence not previously reported prior to starting arrivalSolution: The recovery phase after the short timeframe of notification and startle factor was VERY different in the actual aircraft from what is done in the sim training phases of recurrent training with regards to having severe turbulence at a final approach altitude. Maybe a training scenario to help with possible future events like this would help. (Ex- you're at the altitude; when you experience the severe turbulence in solid IMC; that is also your missed approach altitude and initiating TOGA and the Autopilot disconnecting itself from the turbulence.)
Second reporter narrative
We were inbound to FLL; current adis was broadcasting XA:01; 150 11 kts 8sm -RA Sct 1200 Bkn 2000. We briefed the ILS 10R discussed landing distance and weather and decided to do a Flaps 3 landing. On approach we were getting plus and minus 10 kts. and requested 170 kts. speed; Tower said maintain 170 kts. until a 5 mile final. At 2300 feet we were given an ATC report from previous aircraft encountering severe turbulence at 2000 feet. When we received the report we were already starting to encounter the severe turbulence. We initially lost approximately 40 kts.; We executed our wind shear recovery. We were in and out of the severe turbulence in the go-around; we recovered around 3500 feet we were then given 3000 and a heading by ATC. We assessed our fuel situation and weather in FLL and elected to proceed to our alternate airport of ZZZ1;Cause: I definitely had a startle factor. The weather being provided didn't match the actual conditions on the field. Had I known there was severe turbulence on the approach I would not had attempted the approach. We also would've briefed and reviewed the wind shear recovery procedures before entering the terminal area. Solution: I feel if we would have been given timely updates on the weather conditions; example severe turbulence by preceding aircraft at 2000 feet sooner not at 2300 feet. This could be helpful. If atis was updated with the actual conditions; this would have better prepared us for the actual conditions of the approach. In the future I will review the wind shear recovery anytime there is rain showers and gusty winds in the terminal vicinity.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.