2009-08 · NASA ASRS report 847845
A320 flight crew reported a go-around from 500 FT during the Expressway Visual to Runway 31 at LGA. Reporters had difficulty with ATC communications and aircraft automation; causing an altitude overshoot. Second approach was unstabilized but successful.
Expressway visual 31 at LGA. Turned final too high to continue profile safely. Executed a go-around. MAP instructions were to turn to a 055 heading and climb to 2000 FT. Level off and acceleration resulted in a Flaps 3 overspeed by approximately 5-7 KTS. We were distracted by the inability to get the HDG knob to select desired heading; it was unusually difficult to get it to go to the heading mode; and thus remained in G/A TRK. This distraction resulted in an altitude overshoot of approximately 400 FT also. Another contributing factor was LGA ATC poor quality radio transmissions. We were vectored for a right downwind to another visual to 31 without any delay. The approach was somewhat rushed and we got behind on the checklists. This resulted in late gear extension beyond the parameters of a stabilized approach. I elected to continue the approach as all other parameters were met; and felt that this was the best option at the time. We landed uneventfully. Human factors that contributed to this event were lack of familiarity with the go-around profile and the alacrity with which events occur on a short climb MAP in the A320. Fatigue also contributed to this incident. Back to back 4 day trips following a 91 hour month with the inability to drop or trade out of anything plays a very significant roll in this incident as well. The flap overspeed was reported and the aircraft inspected. There were no disruptions to flight operations as a result of this incident.
Captain elected to go-around. Good call. I made go-around call to LGA Tower. A little delay from Tower issuing missed approach instructions. Finally told to turn 055 and level 2000 FT with a call of departing traffic (using Runway 31 for arrivals and departures). I was looking for traffic when I heard the Flap 3 overspeed chime. Came back inside and saw Captain already had power at idle. He asked for a 055 heading again so I again pulled for heading a second time (this time I confirmed FMA but it still showed Go Around Track). Now I started second guessing myself as how to get out of go-around mode. All this while the Captain was trying to slow AND get back to 2000 FT (we were already passing 2000 FT when Tower finally issued the missed approach instructions). I tried cycling both FD's and pulling for heading a third time. Got heading FMA this time (discovered on the ground that the heading knob was EXTREMELY hard to pull if pulling even at a slight angle. Pulled ok if pulling straight out). Vectors back around to a right base and cleared for the visual with a switch to Tower. Tower gave us landing clearance and blimp traffic at our 10-11 o'clock. I pulled out the checklist to run the Approach Descent Check and just finishing it when the gear warning horn annunciated. I immediately lowered the gear and ran the final descent check. Uneventful landing. (I will say that I felt it was a safer option to continue to landing rather than to execute another go-around as we were on profile and stable at that point). Contributing factors: poor radio quality resulting in wrong departure frequency on the go; sticky heading knob causing confusion on my part; flap overspeed horn causing further distraction; traffic calls both on the go-around and turning final all distracting me from performing my pilot not flying duties.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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