1) Identify and describe at least one other incident of a
transport aircraft landing at the wrong airport that has occurred within the
last 5 years.
In the past five years there have been several incidents of
transport aircraft landing at the wrong airport. In September 2011, Colgan Air Flight
3222 operating as Continental Connection George Bush Intercontinental Airport
(KIAH) with the intended destination of Lake Charles Regional Airport (KLCH)
however the flight mistakenly landed at Southland Field (KUXL). The flight was
cleared for a visual approach into KLCH, but landed at KUXL at roughly 10:22
P.M. The article points out both pilots were familiar with this route. Due to
the size of the aircraft (Saab 340) and the 5,000 ft. runway at KUXL there was
no immediate danger. The airports are roughly nine miles apart and have the
same runway orientation of 15/33. There have been similar incidents involving
Continental Connection on this route twice before in the 1990s.
2) What are the hazards and complications of making such a mistake?
2) What are the hazards and complications of making such a mistake?
Landing at a wrong airport poses a hazard to passengers if
there is an unfortunate or deadly result due to lack of runway. It also poses a
hazard to those on the ground that may be driving/live near an airport if there
is a runway overrun or fire. Besides the hazards, landing at the wrong airport
causes complications for the company, having to get the passengers and luggage
to the proper destination, transport of the aircraft to the intended
destination, the resulting public relations nightmare, and safety
investigations.
3) Do you believe that there is an identifiable and correctable reason(s) for these mistakes? If so, identify the reason(s). Or do you believe that they are just isolated incidents that have been over-hyped by the media? Why?
I do believe that in the majority of cases where an airplane
lands at a wrong airport there is an identifiable and correctable reason. The
act of landing at a wrong airport seems to stem from either lack of attention (sterile
cockpit rule), spatial disorientation/confusion, or fatigue. All of these
factors can be attributed to other causes of incidents/accidents as well, and
can be dealt with through training and ensuring crew members get enough rest.
4) Southwest management decided to suspend the pilots involved in the incident at least until the investigation has been completed. Do you agree with this decision? Why or why not? If you are a management major, answer from the perspective of management. If you are a flight major, answer from the perspective of a pilot. This should not influence whether are not you agree with the decision, but rather serve as a platform for your rational.
The decision by Southwest management to suspend the pilots
was the proper course of action to take until the investigation is complete. By
doing so Southwest is showing their commitment to safety and to the wellbeing
of the general flying public. Furthermore, it reduces any chance of criticism
of Southwest by the media or competitors (I’m waiting for Spirit to post a
cheeky ad on their website about the incident).
After an incident such as this, the pilots that were involved should be
suspended for their own wellbeing as well. The pilots are probably under a
great deal of pressure right now from the FAA, Southwest, and themselves; it
would not be healthy or safe to have them flying.
I agree with your responses. I think that Southwest did the proper thing by suspending the pilots until the investigation is completed. The incident I found involved an aircraft that landed at an airport within ten miles as well, it seems most of these incidents involving landing at the wrong airport are within a similar mileage range.
ReplyDeleteI like the approach you took in this blog. The fact that you considered not only the safety and well-being of those directly involved, but you also addressed the issue of those on the ground that could have been affected by a runway overrun. I also like that you incorporated reasons why it's best for the pilots to be suspended, not just for Southwest's benefits, but their own as well. I enjoyed your out of the box thinking. The only thing I would suggest is changing the blog around so you're incorporating the questions in a fluid text, rather than listing the questions and your answers. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about what you said about the possibility of it hurting someone on the ground. I agree that the lack of attention, disorientation and fatigue are huge contributors in aviation mistakes. I liked how you put the perspective of suspending the pilots as an avenue to insure their commitment to safety.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your descriptions of hazards and complications of landing at the wrong airport. I didn't really think about the effect of what landing at the wrong airport would have on the company itself. The publicity alone that comes with a company making such an error is enough to really harm their operation. I believe, in addition to immediate hazards caused by these mistakes, confusion of the towers in these situations can cause additional incidents/accidents to happen.
ReplyDeleteInteresting...I don't remember hearing anything about the Colgan incident you mentioned. I guess the Buffalo accident has overshadowed Colgan's less severe mess-ups.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any indication of the experience level or total time of the pilots from this event? I did not review the incident myself but often in turbo prop and regional jet aircraft, it is relatively low time pilots that do the flying and there is a slight trend for more mistakes. In the Southwest event on the other hand, the pilots had 41,000 between them and would be considered seasoned veterans.
ReplyDeleteMost people don't think about the financial burden that is placed on the company after an incident like this. I don't know what I would do if I was a manager in this position. Maybe rip my hair out...
ReplyDeleteDo you think atc has any involvement in landing at wrong airports, such as knowing there not on the glide path to there destination or noticing aircraft descending to soon?
ReplyDelete