Description

On 23 August 2000, an Airbus A320-200 being operated by Gulf Air on a scheduled passenger flight from Cairo to Bahrain commenced a night go around in VMC after its non precision approach to runway 12 at destination became unstable but then failed to establish a normal climb before descending at speed into the sea 3 miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 143 occupants were killed.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by a Technical Investigation Committee (TIC) appointed by the Bahrain Accident Investigation Board under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Transport. The designated TIC Chairman and appointed Investigator in Charge (IIC) was the accredited representative of the National Transportation Safety Board (USA) (NTSB). FDR and CVR data were successfully replayed and this and other evidence assembled were used to publish an Interim Factual Report on 27 March 2001. The TIC then proceeded with their analysis.

It was found that the Captain involved had originally been a Lockheed Tristar Flight Engineer with Gulf Air and had subsequently spent most of his First Officer time on the Boeing 767. Two months prior to the accident, he had achieved his first command on the A320, since when he had accumulated 86 hours in command. He had been on days off and vacation in the period 31 July to 18 August inclusive. The First Officer had received his pilot training as a Gulf Air cadet and after obtaining his licence had accumulated 408 hours on the A320.