Description

On 18th January 2001, a Boeing 737-400 being operated by Qantas on a scheduled passenger flight from Sydney to Brisbane encountered a Microburst shortly after commencing a go-around from 500 ft during an approach to runway 19 at destination due to the onset of severe weather.

Synopsis

This is an extract from the executive summary from the official report into the incident published by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

"...The aircraft commenced to climb normally at about 3,600 ft/min, however, shortly after the go-around was initiated, the climb performance substantially reduced to less than 300 ft/min due to the effects of the microburst downdraft and from flight through heavy rain. The pilot in command applied maximum engine thrust to improve the aircraft’s climb performance, and advised the Aerodrome Controller that the aircraft had encountered severe windshear. The crew then diverted the aircraft to Maroochydore, where it landed without further incident."

"…For some time before the occurrence, air traffic controllers in the Brisbane aerodrome control tower were concerned about the visual appearance of the approaching thunderstorm, and its image on their weather radar display. However, the terminology and language used by air traffic controllers did not convey their concerns about the intensity of the thunderstorm to the crew of TJX until the aircraft was on final approach."