Air Carrier landing SFO cleared for a Visual Approach to Runway 28R observed an MD80 assigned Runway 28L overfly. The reporter suggested to ATC that the runway assignments be switched. ATC agreed.
Synopsis
Air Carrier landing SFO cleared for a Visual Approach to Runway 28R observed an MD80 assigned Runway 28L overfly. The reporter suggested to ATC that the runway assignments be switched. ATC agreed.
Narrative
Captain was flying the right base Visual Approach to 28R in San Francisco. NORCAL gave us a heading of 100 degrees down the bay; and then a slight turn towards the airport of 120 degrees just past the San Mateo Bridge. The weather was essentially clear and a million. We were descending through 6000 FT MSL; with a clearance for 4000 FT at the time. NORCAL then called our traffic for 28L; a MD-80; which was descending and located right around the Dumbarton Bridge; and they said the MD80 had been cleared for the Tipp Toe Visual Approach to 28L. I identified the aircraft visually; pointed it out to the Captain; and we agreed that was the aircraft; and called it in sight. NORCAL then turned us further towards 28R; approximately 200 degrees; cleared us for the Visual Approach to 28R; and told us to maintain visual separation with the MD80; all of which I read back. As the Captain maneuvered towards 28R; the MD80 continued to get closer; and we got a traffic advisory from our TCAS; we never got a RA. I considered asking the Captain if he would like to go TA Only at that point like we often do on visuals at SFO; but reconsidered without saying anything; because the MD80's vector towards us looked a little too aggressive for my liking. NORCAL asked the MD80 if they had us insight; and they said no. The MD80 continued to get closer; and eventually flew right over the top of us about 1000-1200 feet above us according to our TCAS--we were between 3000-3500 FT MSL and roughly 3-5 miles from the San Mateo Bridge at that point; even though we were well East of the 28R center line at that time. I told the Captain at that point that maybe they were going to land at Oakland; because it looked like they had no intention of turning towards SFO. Finally; they made a turn towards SFO and us; acquired us visually; and ended up about a 1/2 mile behind us; roughly 800 feet above us; and well right of us; even though they were supposed to be landing on 28L. I had them in sight at that point again after losing them after they flew over the top of us. At that point; NORCAL asked them again if they had us in sight; and what they wanted to do. They replied that they did have us insight now; but were uncertain how to proceed. NORCAL initially tried to hand us over to tower next; and then rethought that plan; and then I responded by asking him if we could land on 28L since that was the safest way to proceed from that point; and let the MD80 land on 28R; since they were already on that side. NORCAL agreed; cleared us for the Visual Approach to 28L; handed us to tower; and the rest of the approach and landing was uneventful. After the flight the Captain learned from an ATC Supervisor that only one NORCAL controller was on duty at the time; controlling both runways; instead of the normal two; one for 28L; and one for 28R. We felt that maybe that contributed to his inability to see that the MD80 was flying into our approach corridor until after the fact.
Second reporter narrative
We were on a right downwind to Runway 28R for SFO. NORCAL asked if we had a MD80 for the parallel in sight; to which we said yes. They gave a base turn and cleared us for the Visual to 28R; also after the MD80 had us in sight cleared them for 28L. Flying the radial for the Quiet Bridge we noticed the MD80 converging but not descending. As I slowed to put flaps out and descend; the MD80 was getting rather close; this was just outside San Mateo Bridge. The MD80 then went through the final for the left; wings level and passed overhead by about 1000ft. We got a TA but no RA. They were still wings level; but now we were concerned if they would descend rapidly. As they flew past 28R I had to ask my First Officer if they were supposed to be going to SFO. He wondered aloud if they were headed for OAK. NORCAL was now querying him and he was 800ft above at our 5 o'clock. My First Officer astutely asked them for us to sidestep to the left as we went over San Mateo to get more lateral separation. They approved and we switched to tower and continued for an uneventful landing. Upon arriving at the gate and shutdown;checklists; I called NORCAL and ended up talking to the supervisor on duty. who was not aware of the incident but did call back. After listening to the tapes; the supervisor concluded that the MD80 was indeed at fault and sounded a bit confused.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.