Corporate jet must make a missed approach at minimums at their destination. Refused the published missed approach due to low fuel state and diverted to land safely at an alternate airport.
Synopsis
Corporate jet must make a missed approach at minimums at their destination. Refused the published missed approach due to low fuel state and diverted to land safely at an alternate airport.
Narrative
Planned landing fuel was approximately 1;450lbs of fuel. Approximately 25 miles from our destination; the ATIS was reporting adequate conditions for an ILS approach with 500 to 800 broken clouds and visibility 8 miles. Joining the localizer; for the ILS Runway 16; we were informed that the aircraft ahead of us had landed and reported breaking out 100 feet above minimums. We continued the approach; proceeded to minimums; and commenced a go around. On climb out we were cleared to fly the published missed procedure. We declined to fly the published missed due to concerns from other aircraft via radio transmissions of the weather conditions at other local airports. Concerned with the ATIS not reporting exact conditions; we did not want to take a chance at going into holding from a missed approach and attempting another approach with possibly deteriorating weather conditions in the area. At approximately 1;700 FT and climbing we elected to call minimum fuel (Emergency) due to the weather conditions and air traffic in the area. The First Officer made the transmission with TRACON; and reported fuel and passengers as requested. During that transmission; we were climbing out at takeoff power and the fuel flow indications were reading minutes left of endurance at MAX TRUST. This was an inaccurate indication of the amount of endurance available; due to the fact we were not at a cruse setting; which was reported to TRACON at 20min. We were vectored to our alternate for ILS. We landed with adequate reserves showing 50min.
Second reporter narrative
When we landed the emergency equipment was out and we were told that we declared an emergency but we declared minimum fuel; not an emergency and wanted priority handling before it became an emergency.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.