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The Royal New Zealand Air Force has changed its procedures following a difficult landing in near white-out conditions in Antarctica with a plane low on fuel and carrying 130 people, including a Government minister.
A Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report into the October 2013 landing, which forced crews to make the attempt three times, finally landing using a lower minimum descent altitude, was released today and recommended a review of risk management.
The report followed an inquiry into the landing of a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 at Pegasus Field aerodrome in Antarctica in October 2013.
The report said crew on board the flight from Christchurch received reports that the weather had deteriorated at Pegasus Field and a fog bank was lying over the runway and surrounding area.
The plane did not have enough fuel to complete the return trip and had passed the point of safe return, so the crew continued on to Pegasus Field despite the conditions.
The report found the crew made two attempts to land at Pegasus Field but fog restricted their visibility.
After the first attempt crew waited two hours for the weather to clear before making a second attempt at landing using a lower minimum descent altitude.
The landing was aborted and a missed approach procedure was initiated.
The report said fuel on board the aircraft was dwindling and the crew chose to make a third attempt at landing using the lower minimum descent altitude.
When the aeroplane was about 110 feet above the runway,
crew saw the runway approach lights and markings,
and were able to make a successful landing in near whiteout conditions.
There was no damage to the aeroplane and no one was injured.
Prior to departing, the crew had gathered additional information on the weather forecast at Pegasus Field, and were told the fog bank was 5km from the runway.
The commission found that observed and forecast weather conditions as reported to the crew met the criteria for the crew to continue past the point of safe return.
It also found there was no safe alternative,
and the actions of the crew in proceeding below the allowable "minimum descent altitude" for the aerodrome was appropriate.
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