B737 flight crew experienced windshear during ILS approach to Runway 9 at MIA. Thunderstorm adjacent to the final course causes increasing airspeed and a flap overspeed during the missed approach. Crew diverted to an airport with clear weather.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew experienced windshear during ILS approach to Runway 9 at MIA. Thunderstorm adjacent to the final course causes increasing airspeed and a flap overspeed during the missed approach. Crew diverted to an airport with clear weather.
Narrative
During our arrival into Miami; we were vectored around thunderstorms in southern Florida. Finally clear of the weather; Miami approach cleared us direct to GRITT Intersection and the ILS approach to Runway 9. As we approached GRITT we watched a line of weather as it approached the Miami airport from the north. It was still several miles to the north; as we got closer to GRITT. Passing GRITT we started descending out of 3000 FT at 200 KTS and began to configure for landing. The radar now showed that a return coming out of the line had just reached the localizer at the FAF. The First Officer called for Flaps 10; but as he did; the airspeed suddenly went from 200 KTS to almost 220 KTS; too fast for Flaps 10. This happened as we neared the weather at the marker. We both came to the decision to abandon the approach and go-around. We flew a normal go-around; turning to the south and climbing to 4000 FT. During the turn we encountered the edge of the weather cell and flew through moderate turbulence; which did not activate the windshear warning in the aircraft but did cause the airspeed to gain 40-50 KTS very quickly. We observed 270 KTS while the flaps were still at 1. We entered holding south of Miami and notified Dispatch of our hold. During discussion of holding or diversion we informed Dispatch of the flaps overspeed and the need for maintenance on arrival. It was then decided to divert to avoid weather and have the aircraft inspected. Upon arrival the flight data was downloaded and our overspeed of 20 KTS was confirmed. The aircraft was taken out of service.
Second reporter narrative
I was pilot flying on approach to Runway 9 at MIA; large cell thunderstorm approaching from the North. Outside the FAF at 3000 FT; speed below 210 KTS with Flaps 5 selected. Cleared for the ILS 9 approach in IMC/rain. Joined glideslope at approximately 2600 FT MSL and began descending on glideslope; turbulence increased; autopilot was unable to maintain glideslope as the aircraft entered a possible windshear and began to rapidly accelerate. Airspeed shot up form 210 KTS to approximately 240 KTS. At this time; I declared a missed approach to the Captain who concurred. During the go-around we were given a turn to the southwest and a climb to 3000 FT. During the go-around; airspeed continued to fluctuate as we climbed and turned. Just before level off we retracted the final 1 degree of flaps as we noticed the airspeed had climbed to approximately 265-270 KTS. All aircraft behind up abandoned the approach and diverted. We knew an inspection of the flaps would be required and notified Dispatch of this.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.