Vietnam Airlines is under fire after the pilots forgot to extend the landing gear on approach to Melbourne Airport yesterday. The 787-9 aircraft got as low as 675 feet or one minute before touchdown without the landing gear being deployed. The pilots then decided to execute a go-around due to the gear not being down, as many of you may know, even on a simulator go-around are common however the dangerous circumstances of this go-around, was not. The aircraft landed safely on the second attempt at landing however a pilot from another high profile airline said “It indicated a breakdown in standard operating procedures, they are less than a minute from touchdown. They should have received an alert that the gear was not down.”
The Australian Transport Saftey Beruau branded it a “Extremely serious incident” and have prepared a summary while they investigate.
"The ATSB is investigating an incorrect configuration incident involving a Boeing 787, registered VN-A870, flight VN781, operated by Vietnam Airlines near Melbourne Airport, Victoria, on 19 September 2019.
During the approach to land, Melbourne Air Traffic Control advised the crew that the aircraft’s landing gear was observed not to be extended. The crew initiated a missed approach.
As part of the investigation, the ATSB will obtain information from the flight crew, and additional information as required.
A report will be released at the end of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to address the issue"
VN-A870, the aircraft involved full image credit
