B787 Captain reported the Flight Director displayed unreliable information resulting in the autothrottles in hold during approach with the ILS out of service. Captain continued hand-flying to landing.
Synopsis
B787 Captain reported the Flight Director displayed unreliable information resulting in the autothrottles in hold during approach with the ILS out of service. Captain continued hand-flying to landing.
Narrative
We had briefed and set up for the ILS/visual for XXL at ZZZ. ATC switched us to XXR in the later part of the arrival. I was hand flying so the F/O was making all entries and changes. I quickly briefed the new runway/approach; expecting a slam dunk" approach to XXR. We were vectored towards the runway and cleared for the visual approach. The approach mode was selected. We were informed that the glide slope was out of service about the time we were turning final. We also noted that no papi lights were visible. I briefly discussed that I should still have some vnav information available and the dashed 3 degree line to use. I noticed that the flight director was giving me bad info and when I verbalized this; the Relief Pilot said "you're still in FLCH". The two F/Os then started talking about ways to resolve this and get vertical guidance back. I was just concentrating on flying the airplane but noticed my F/D (Flight Director) was still giving bad info. At some point I said we shouldn't be in FLCH but was pretty fully engaged just flying and didn't get involved in the discussion. The approach was stable and the landing normal. I never had a concern about the safety or outcome of the approach but realized after landing that the approach mode never engaged and we had FLCH engaged the whole time (probably because the ILS wasn't working). The autothrottles were also in hold because the F/D info was bad and I was manually manipulating the throttles."
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.