A B767-300 International Flight Crew flew below 1;000 feet AGL before fully configuring aircraft for landing.
Synopsis
A B767-300 International Flight Crew flew below 1;000 feet AGL before fully configuring aircraft for landing.
Narrative
We were cleared for the approach on the ILS at [an international destination]. It was a very long final. We intercepted the glide slope at 4;000 AGL and we were told to slow to 160 for traffic. We were light so we only needed flaps five for that speed. We had a very strong headwind at pattern altitude (35 KTS) and a very slow ground speed. The final approach was unusually longer than normal with the slow ground speed and high intercept altitude. As we were flying in and getting closer; we passed the FAF and the Captain continued the approach. I made the mistake of assuming that because of the wind he was delaying further configuration changes as we had been on final for some time. About 1;500' AGL; I started getting nervous about the configuration but assumed the Captain would call any second. I don't know if he was waiting deliberately or not. But I should have spoken up back at the final approach fix. Anyway; Tower called at 1;300' with landing instructions at the same time I was pointing to the landing gear handle. I answered Tower with our clearance to land and the Relief Pilot noticed the gear and said something. I lowered the gear while answering Tower; and then lowered final flaps. The gear took longer than I expected to extend and we even got a gear configuration warning for one to three seconds. The airplane was on speed and stable at 700 feet and we were now at 95 KTS groundspeed due the strong headwinds; it still seemed like a long time till we landed. In retrospect; we should have unequivocally gone around at 1;000'. I never felt unsafe; but 1;000' is the limit. As a lesson learned; I will not assume a Captain's actions any longer and will ensure that when I have I concern; that I raise it immediately. And I will pay more attention to the 1;000' limit.
Second reporter narrative
As I was finalizing securing some items next to my seat and securing my shoulder straps; I looked up and noticed we were passing through 1;000 ft AGL. After a second of confusion; I realized we remained at flaps 5. I leaned forward and stated to the crew that we were only at flaps 5; and we needed gear and flaps. As the First Officer reached for the gear handle the gear warning was triggered. The aircraft was fully configured and on speed somewhere around 300 to 500 feet.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.