NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE & DAVID LEARMOUNT / LONDON
South Korean accident investigators have given clear indications that pilot error is seen as a probable cause of the 15 April crash of an Air China Boeing 767-200ER on a poor weather visual approach to Busan's Gimhae airport. The captain ignored repeated warnings from his co-pilot that the aircraft was too low on its approach, the investigators have revealed.
The aircraft hit a 782ft (239m) ridge near its top about 4.5km (2.4nm) from the airport on a visual circling approach to runway 18R. There are no instrument approaches from the north because of the close proximity of high ground, and the investigation has revealed that the captain had never approached the airport from that direction. The crew had either seen the hill just before impact, or been warned of it by the ground proximity warning system, because the pilot had pulled up and the aircraft had travelled some distance up the slope before stopping. The captain survived, but 129 of the 155 people on board were killed.
Hearings were held in South Korea on 25-26 November, and it was revealed that the co-pilot of the 767 repeatedly warned the captain that the aircraft was low on its approach, and recommended a go-around. Visibility was poor, with rain and fog.
No technical malfunction was reported or discovered in the aircraft. A source close to the investigation has told Flight International: "After the accident the pilot was questioned about why he ignored so many recommendations from the co-pilot. He kept answering: 'I don't know'."
The aircraft initially began an instrument landing system approach to 36L, but the captain decided on a northerly approach because of a tailwind, investigators say. The airport period forecast gave a wind of 210-220°/7-9kt (3.8-4.9km/h) with scattered cloud at 500ft, broken cloud at 1,000ft and visibility 3.2km-4km. Approaches to 18R call for a right- hand curved approach amid surrounding high ground, the tops of which were shrouded in cloud.
Investigators say they will carry out detailed analysis of data early in the new year, and hope to publish a final report in June.
Source: Flight International
