reducing "Crew-caused"
approach and landing
accidents 

Pilot-in-charge Monitored Approach

2008 B738 good wx over-run Lanzarote Spain

Brief account : 

This B737-800 ran off the far end of the runway after a high and fast approach,damaging its wheels and some lights.

The flight started with the F/O nominally as PiC, and he was PF throughout. The F/O briefed thoroughly for an instrument approach to R/W 03, which had ILS guidance. However midway through the descent the Captain over-rode this plan and forced a short-cut to land on R/W 21, at a point when the aircraft was already high and fast compared to the planned approach.

As a result the F/O became severely overloaded with attempting to navigate and follow the Captain's detailed handling instructions to reduce speed and altitude. Multiple EGPWS alerts were ignored during the latter part of the approach. The aircraft crossed the threshold at 200ft, 174kts and with a descent rate of 1600fpm.  Touchdown was more than half way along the runway, which turned out to be damp, and after some mishandling of the brakes and reversers the aircraft over-ran the far end of the runway at about 40kts.

Crew-related factors : 

This event was a good example of both high authority gradient and plan continuation bias, with an over-confident Captain dominating a less experienced and non-assertive F/O.  Although the F/O was designated as "Pilot Flying", he was clearly NOT also "in charge". The Captain was much more familiar with the airport; the weather was good, and he wanted to save a few minutes at the end of a long and tiring series of duties. 

The F/O had previously shown good competence and responsibility in preparing for the approach. However he allowed his own judgment to be completely over-ruled, effectively becoming the Captain's puppet, to the exclusion of all other alerts and training. 

 

 

Type: 
B738
Where: 
Lanzarote Spain
Pilot in charge: 
F/O under direction
Early transition: 
Yes
Go-around : 
No
Damage: 
Minor or none
PicMA potential: 
Major
Year: 
2008
Time: 
Day
Deterioration: 
No
Vert Guidance: 
Available, unused
Both Head Up: 
Yes
LoC: 
No
Operator: 
Air Europa
Fully prepared: 
No
Actual Weather: 
None relevant
CCAG: 
High