Every Sundays I will try to post an analysis regarding an air crash.
An air accident is always a tragic event, however It's an invaluable legacy to understand and explore its causes thus preventing similar future events.
RWY 35-17
An air accident is always a tragic event, however It's an invaluable legacy to understand and explore its causes thus preventing similar future events.
The following video shows an example of Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) on the final approach to the runway. The purpose of the analysis is just trying to understand the events of that night.
Synopsis:
On the February 19, 1989 the cargo Boeing 747 was cleared to Runway 33 at Kuala Lumpur.
ATC radioed to the flight,
-ATC: "Tiger 66, descend to two four zero zero [2,400 ft]. Cleared for NDB approach runway three three."
The captain of Tiger 66, who heard "descend to four zero zero" replied,
- PIC: "Okay, four zero zero" [400 ft above sea level which was 2,000 ft lower than it should be]
After that several warnings were given by the GPWS (Ground Proximity
Warning System). The crew didn't react and the aircraft impacted a hillside 437 ft above sea level, killing all on board.
Facts that contributed to the accident:
1) Non standard ICAO communications by Malaysian ATC. It should have been: "descend and maintain two thousand four hundred feet";
2) Inadequate read back by the PIC;
3) Unprepared briefing for the approach/ appropriate charts
4) Loss of situational awareness;
5) Fail to respond to the GPWS warnings
RWY 35-17
