Aerodynamics Essay

Essay 5

Liberty University

Student ID #

AVIA 305

August 11, 2016

Southwest Airlines Flight 1248

After a 20 minute holding delay the crew was given clearance to proceed inbound to Chicago Midway Airport. During this time weather was checked, landing calculations were obtained and a runway braking report was relayed by the tower. This report was initially good for the first half of the runway and poor on the last half. Shortly before landing the tower relayed an updated braking report of fair to poor for the entire runway length. Maximum autobrakes were selected as per company policy for the reported weather conditions but the crew had very minimal experience with autobrakes due to a recent fleet upgrade to these autobrakes. Upon touch down the autobrakes did not initiate as quick as the pilot had anticipated. The distraction caused by the unfamiliar autobrake operation delayed the prompt deployment of the thrust reversers that were vital to the landing distance calculations completed by the aircrafts on board computer. The combination of reduced braking efficiency, delayed thrust reverser deployment, an 8 knot tail wind and a longer than anticipated runway touchdown led to the aircraft overrunning the runway.

The approach and landing phases of the flight were not done properly as the FAA and many company policies require a sterile cockpit during critical phases of flight below 10,000ft and it is very evident that this was not adhered to. It is also worth mentioning that the pilot landing the aircraft was high on the glideslope which extends landing distances significantly. It seemed the crew had a false sense of security by the snow removal procedures when in reality it should have warned them of the severity of the runway conditions.

This landing could have been a successful one if the crew had taken the braking efficiency reports more seriously, maintained a sterile cockpit during approach and focused on all available methods of decelerating the...