B737 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence from a B767 landing on a parallel runway and due to the unstable approach; the flight crew executed a go-around.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence from a B767 landing on a parallel runway and due to the unstable approach; the flight crew executed a go-around.
Narrative
6th day of flying and event followed a redeye transcontinental and day sleep. Aircraft swap and weather caused a 1.5-hour delay for transcontinental ZZZ back to SFO (last leg of pairing). Uneventful flight and ILS approach to 28L with 10-knot headwind. Following a 767 landing 28R. Crossed threshold at normal altitude and on speed; normal countdown cadence from 50 feet; checked descent at 20 feet; flared normally and reduced power passing 10 feet. Got slight wobble and wing up from wake turbulence but not abnormal or bad. Continued to work landing. With power at idle and only a few feet above ground airplane would not continue to descend. Continued to work the aircraft down but cautious of not applying too much nose down pressure. Have never experienced before in decades of flying but believe the wake turbulence created a strong ground effect swell which was keeping the aircraft airborne. The aircraft was stable with no wing wobble so continued to work aircraft down but then received a long landing warning on speaker. FO did a great job of calling go-around and no questions asked and go-around initiated right as aircraft finally touched down with a normal soft landing. Following go-around normal approach and landing.
Second reporter narrative
It was day 4 of my 4-day trip. We had covered multiple time zones; had a bit of weather after the proceeding redeye; and then had a day sleep before this final leg. We were delayed out of ZZZ about 1.5 hours for weather/aircraft swap. Once on our way; the flight was uneventful with turbulence being the only phenomenon. On approach into SFO we were given ILS 28L and were in trail of a 767 on ILS 28R. The winds were light at about 260 degrees and fog above minimums. The approach was on speed and path all the way down to the flare. Upon crossing the runway threshold; a slight shift in wind was noticed and corrected by the CA. It seemed to be some wake sitting on the runway and required just small adjustments. Upon reaching around 20 feet in normal position to land on centerline; flare was initiated. The aircraft still under slight wind/wake; did not want to settle even with power reduced and pitch adjusted to normal attitude. The 10-foot automated callout stagnated and did not come till about 2500 feet down the runway. After passing the touchdown zone; a long landing warning was heard and the wheels touched down as I simultaneously called out go around." The CA hit TOGA; executed the go-around; and we proceeded straight out on course. After vectors; we flew an uneventful approach and landing."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.