Pilots’ lack of flying explored after serious 737 go-around incident at Aberdeen

UK investigators are examining whether lack of line flying, as a consequence of the pandemic, is directly linked to a serious go-around incident involving a TUI Airways Boeing 737-800 at Aberdeen. Neither pilot had flown for significant periods during the 18 months prior to the 11 September incident, and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has highlighted the difficulty in using simulators as a substitute for the real-world pressures and workload of line flying. “Although the investigation has not established a link between this incident and a lack of recent line flying, it is clearly a possibility,” it states in a special bulletin. The aircraft (G-FDZF) had been operating from Palma de Mallorca to Aberdeen, and was preparing for a Cat I ILS approach to runway 34. Owing to the presence of a search-and-rescue helicopter, which was being given priority, the 737 pilots were warned they might have to discontinue the approach. This break-off instruction was confirmed at 2,600ft and the crew was told to climb to 3,000ft and turn left onto a heading of 270°. With the activation of go-around thrust, the single active autopilot disengaged. The aircraft began to climb from 2,250ft some 18s later and started its left turn. But before it reached 3,000ft it began to descend before the flight director had transitioned from ‘altitude acquisition’ to ‘altitude hold’ mode. Story has more.<br/>