B747 flight crew was concerned about landing without a clearance at SFO. All of their attention was focused on an unstabilized approach after a fatiguing international flight.
Synopsis
B747 flight crew was concerned about landing without a clearance at SFO. All of their attention was focused on an unstabilized approach after a fatiguing international flight.
Narrative
Following receiving clearance for a visual approach to Runway 28L; we switched to SFO Tower frequency. The pilot flying was high and fast on approach; and I; as relief pilot; was monitoring his airspeed and flap configuration. The pilot flying called for Flaps 25 and they were selected; but the pilot flying allowed the airspeed to increase; causing flap relief to 20 degrees. The pilot flying then decreased airspeed; and called for Flaps 30. After 30 flaps were selected; the pilot flying again increased airspeed causing flaps to load relief and remain at 25 degrees. I was concentrating on the pilot flying's airspeed maintenance and watching for when the flaps would move to 30 degrees. The PF reduced airspeed; and the flaps moved to 30 degrees at about 600 FT AGL. We landed uneventfully and exited the runway. At that time; the pilot not flying asked the crew if we remembered receiving a clearance to land. Because of the intensity of concentration on the pilot flying's approach; none of us remembered for certain if a landing clearance had been received from the tower. We asked the tower later if we had clearance to land; and they said we had received a green light. This incident occurred because the pilot flying was behind the airplane; high and fast on approach; and very close to violating the stabilized approach criteria. We were all fixated on monitoring the pilot-flying's performance; and thus no one thought to query the tower for landing clearance. Nothing unsafe occurred; but this was an omission that could have had much more serious consequences.
Second reporter narrative
First Officer and I awake a little more than 1 hour before landing. Vectors and slow down during arrival initially; then go direct and resume normal speed; causing us to change from a slow to hurry mode. Shorter than normal turn on to final; and higher than normal - the slam dunk. Fast and high; trying to descend and slow caused attention fixation on that problem. Switched to tower freq outside of the San Mateo Bridge as directed; but none of us (Captain; First Officer + 2 Relief Pilots) remember talking with Tower and/or getting a landing clearance. (this uncertainty arose during taxi in) We were stabilized by approximately 500 FT; and completed normal landing. Called SFO Tower after landing to inquire if landing clearance was issued. Tower Supervisor said no problem; you had the green light. Ultimately our responsibility for safe and unhurried operations; but ATC slam dunks continue to be a problem after long duty periods.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.