The Dispatcher and the Captain of a flight to an airport at sub minimum weather discuss the breakdown in communication regarding forecast amendments subsequent to the flight's departure.
Synopsis
The Dispatcher and the Captain of a flight to an airport at sub minimum weather discuss the breakdown in communication regarding forecast amendments subsequent to the flight's departure.
Narrative
I received a weather alert when a new forecast was issued stating the destination was unsuitable. I checked the weather and confirmed it was not unsuitable with the ILS to Runway 21. Minimums needed 200 and 1/2. Forecast weather was 'ZZZ FT 1100/1124 31006 kt 3 sm br ovc 004 tempo 1100/1104 1 sm br ovc 002 fm 110400 31005 kt 1 sm br ovc 002'. When the flight was about 45 minutes out I looked at the current weather again and noticed there had been an amended forecast issued at XA32Z. I did not receive an alert this time and did not recheck the forecast since the XAZ forecast had just been issued. The amended forecast was 'ZZZ FT 1100/1124 31004 kt ¼ sm FG ovc 001 tempo 1101/1105 1 sm br ovc 002 fm 110500 31005 kt 1 sm br ovc 002'. When the flight arrived the tower advised the runway edge lights for Runway 3/21 were out of service. The flight had to shoot the VOR Runway 33 to minimums of 600 and 1-1/2. The current weather was 200 and 2. The flight made an approach but went missed and diverted to the filed alternate.
Second reporter narrative
ZZZ ¼ sm 100 overcast Runway (RWY) 3-21 closed Runway 15 only due to winds 140 13 kts has HIRL only published TO (takeoff) minimums 1/4 miles 'with adequate visibility ref'. XG:45 dark out; First Officer and I talk lets go take a look; to see if we can TO. Than Tower says that tower visibility is less than a 1/4 miles. We ask if that is controlling; answer no 'BUT WHAT DO YOU NEED'. Three Airlines were all trying to leave; somebody over the radio found in the NOTAMS TO Min RWY 15 NA. I will openly admit I did not see this NOTAMS DO NOT make it easy to see this type of a safety NOTAMS it was buried! How can a dispatcher be able to select a TO ALT that is over 260 nm. Our Dispatcher when called about the TO ALT said that is the only one that works; I spoke with him several times that morning; he said several things that made me very concerned; 'You are delaying the flight; we have to get that plane out of there; we are calling the Tower to get the real RVR; just push the weather will get better; weather is a science and you do not now what it will do; so close the door and go! TOWER WOULD NOT LET YOU TAKE OFF WITH A REAL NOTAM of a TO Min RWY 15 NA that is very scary that a Dispatcher would even say that!!! I asked to speak with the Duty Chief Pilot; 20 minutes later I still DID NOT speak with him. I refused to have ZZZ2 as my TO ALT I got ZZZ3 I asked several time if the NAV aids for ZZZ3's all 3 RWYs {14l/r 18} were operational answer 'There are NO RWY NOTAMS' I asked 4 times 'what about the ILS's' answer 'There are NO RWY NOTAMS'. After the comments made earlier I'm very concerned/stressed.NOTAMS are VERY hard to read when it come to safety of flight! I do not [care] if a light on Taxiway XYZ is out. But a NO TO ALT RWY 15 I really need to now this info. Why did the Dispatcher not see this? Answer NOTAMS are hard to read!!! Dispatcher PUSHING to go this is NOT acceptable! TO ALT why is the system allowed to do this over 260 nm? Not being able to speak with a chief pilot I realized they need time but I felt that my call was being screened and not forwarded.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.