An Airbus Captain elected to hand fly a low minimum approach but he got behind the aircraft. Attempts by the First Officer to suggest a go around when the approach exceeded stabilized approach criteria were ineffective.

Date: 2010-08 · Aircraft: Airbus Industrie Undifferentiated or Other Model · Phase: descent

Anomalies: deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|inflight-event-encounter-unstabilized-approach

Synopsis

An Airbus Captain elected to hand fly a low minimum approach but he got behind the aircraft. Attempts by the First Officer to suggest a go around when the approach exceeded stabilized approach criteria were ineffective.

Narrative

Weather was IFR in Denver. ATIS was reporting 1/4 mile; and Tower calling 6;000 RVR. Captain was flying and briefed CAT 3 Autoland. We reviewed the procedures together using the briefing guide and NOTAMS as well. ATC told us to slow to 210 KTS which we did. Our altitude was 7;000 FT and we were on a dogleg to intercept final. Tower gave us a heading to intercept; maintain 7;000 FT until on final; cleared for the ILS. At this point; I told the Captain that we should slow down since we were approaching final. He did and put 180 KTS in the speed window. At this point; the LOC was alive and he armed the approach. We went through final and the Captain decided to click off the autopilot and stated that he was going to hand-fly the aircraft to CAT 1 minimums. He caught me off guard and I was trying to figure out in a timely manner if this was legal. The Captain got behind the aircraft. By FOM criteria; we were not 100% stable at 1;000 FT; as the speed brakes were still out and we were not fully configured; airspeed was high and checklist not complete. I had asked him if he still wanted to continue and he said yes. I should have been more aggressive and just told him to go around; but did not. He caught up to the aircraft just as we reaching CAT 1 minimums; and saw the approach lights. We landed and taxied to the gate. We discussed what happened; and he also stated that we should have gone around.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.