More to the Story? - Tornado Landing NWA

[MK82Man]

AVFLASH 10.12b, By The AVweb Editorial Staff
Volume 10, Number 12b -- March 18, 2004

Pilot Suspended For Tornado-Landing Attempt

A Northwest Airlines pilot who attempted to land at Sioux Falls Airport last year near a tornado has had his certificate suspended by the FAA for 45 days. But Michael Hughes gets to keep flying while he appeals the suspension. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported that the FAA found that Hughes violated regulations by ignoring warnings about severe weather, including an approaching twister. Despite the warnings, Hughes continued his approach and asked for a clearance to go lower. The report says wind shear finally caused the plane to go briefly out of control. The pilot then diverted the DC-9 to Omaha, where it landed safely. At least one passenger on the plane said she's glad Hughes is being sanctioned. "What they put people through that night. I'm glad something was done," Chris Wright told Keloland Television. But she also said she didn't think Hughes deserved to have his certificate pulled permanently, although she personally wouldn't take any chances with him. "I really don't know if I'd fly with him," she said.

 

[320AV8R]

The event happened in between 9 & 10 pm. Approach Control & ATIS stated high wind conditions. The Captain elected to continue the approach to visual conditions, about 3000ft.

When switched to Tower, the controlled stated that "the wind was changing to a westerly direction & increasing".
The aircraft encountered what it suspected to be wind shear, & went around, diverting to OMA.

Later NOAA weather radar analysis concluded that a tornado-type weather condition, or gust front could have been present west of the airport during the go-around, & responsible for the wind shear conditions.

NWA policy is to avoid all wind shear conditions. This event is not unlike the USAir DC-9 windshear encounter in CLT. Rapidly changing conditions can alter the situation in a very short time, as this crew found out.

 

[C-17->Majors]

I was on the ground at FSD that night waiting on our evening sort. I was amazed to see tower calling the positions of tornados and seeing metroliners and other small cargo aircraft lined up on final landing in some of the scariest weather I have ever seen. At one point during the evening, tower called us during our preflight and told us to bailout and head for a tornado shelter. I never saw the NWA jet on the go, but I do know the captain from here in the Memphis area. I bet he has a good story to tell.