Description

On 23 September 2012, a Boeing 737-800 being operated by Ryanair on a scheduled passenger flight from Manchester to Memmingen commenced a day visual approach to runway 24 at Memmingen but as the aircraft turned right to regain the extended runway centreline at a continued high rate of descent, a series of Terrain Avoidance and Warning System (TAWS) alerts warnings triggered by terrain proximity occurred and a go around was flown to a subsequently uneventful second approach to the same runway followed by a normal landing.

Investigation

An Investigation was commenced by the Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung (Germany) (BFU). QAR data was made available but the relevant Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) record was not. It was noted that the aircraft commander had been designated as [PF] for the incident flight and that both pilots were experienced on aircraft type in proportion to rank. It appeared that both had gained all their jet transport operating experience on the type being flown.

It was noted that whilst with Munich Radar during descent from the north, the flight crew had confused the clearance for a procedural Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway24 at Memmingen with clearance for a visual approach as well as demonstrating a tendency to non standard R/T phraseology. However the visual clearance was subsequently approved and frequency change to Memmingen TWR was completed as the aircraft passed approximately 5400 feet QNH.