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The Incredible Incident of WestJet Flight 2652
Imagine lounging in your tropical hotel on the picturesque island of Saint Martin, gazing out to sea, when suddenly a Boeing 737 zooms mere feet above the water. What seems like a cinematic moment was, in fact, the reality that unfolded on March 7th, 2017, with WestJet Flight 2652. This article delves into the gripping account of events that led to this breathtaking incident.
The Journey Begins
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WestJet Flight 2652 took off from Toronto Pearson International Airport bound for Princess Juliana Airport in Saint Martin, located in the Caribbean Sea. Saint Martin, a unique island shared by the Dutch and the French, is renowned for its stunning beaches and resorts, notably Maho Beach, which lies mere meters from the runway. The airport's proximity to the beach has made for extraordinary visuals of airplanes descending, but as we shall see, this location holds inherent risks due to the steep terrain that lies beyond the runway.
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The flight crew comprised a well-seasoned captain with 14,000 flight hours and a first officer with 12,500 hours. Their experience would be pivotal as they navigated the challenges ahead. After a thorough pre-flight briefing, they received a favorable weather report for their upcoming approach, instilling confidence as they embarked on a four-hour journey to paradise.
Preparing for the Approach
As the flight progressed, conditions at Saint Martin remained favorable, leading the crew to prepare for a visual approach to Runway 10. However, they also opted to prepare for an RNAV (Area Navigation) approach due to unpredictable rain showers forecasted along their route.
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The RNAV approach, while less precise than an ILS (Instrument Landing System), still required decent visibility. The minimum visibility for the RNAV approach was set at 3600 meters, a threshold they believed they could meet based on the weather reports they continuously monitored.
As they descended towards the airport, an unexpected turn of events took place. The communication with air traffic control (ATC) indicated there would be rain showers over the airport. Unfortunately, the pilots failed to check for updated weather information before they committed to the approach.
Into the Showers
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Shortly after this decision, the ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) reported a drop in visibility to 2000 meters, significantly below the minimum requirements for a safe RNAV approach. However, neither pilot received this critical update – they continued to fly believing they could still execute the RNAV approach despite the deteriorating conditions.
As rain showers enveloped the aircraft, the pilots prepared for their descent into the increasingly treacherous weather. They were cleared to proceed with the RNAV approach, unaware that the visibility had dropped below necessary thresholds as their cockpit continued to be overwhelmed by rain.
A Critical Moment
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Around 12 nautical miles from the airport, the situation took a turn for the worse. The pilots aimed to establish visual contact with the runway but faced an intense shower blanket that obscured their view. Compounding their predicament, the runway lights had been inadvertently set to a low intensity due to prior clear weather, making it even harder to spot.
As they continued their descent toward what they believed was the runway, visibility finally cleared just before they reached the missed approach point. In a surreal twist, they realized what they believed to be the runway was not the runway at all, but a bright hotel façade reflecting the sun’s rays.
Nearing Disaster
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With mere feet above the water and descending rapidly, the first officer initiated a go-around just as the aircraft’s warning systems alerted them of over water terrain. The aircraft flew only 39 feet above the water surface when the situation was resolved, resulting in a close call and a heart-stopping moment for everyone onboard.
The go-around was successful, and the crew executed a holding pattern for about 45 minutes while conditions improved. Eventually, they reattempted their approach, steering the aircraft toward the actual runway and landing safely without further incident.
Lessons Learned
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While no injuries occurred, this incident raised newfound concerns regarding pilot situational awareness in extremely challenging climatic conditions. The investigation revealed serious gaps in communication, as the pilots did not receive vital weather updates, leading to what some described as visual illusions.
WestJet took immediate action upon reviewing the incident recommendations, enhancing their training protocols, and revising approach procedures for similar situations in the future. The airline worked alongside airport authorities to develop a more reliable RNAV approach with complete vertical guidance, which would mitigate risks for future flights.
Conclusion
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This account serves as a stark reminder of the perilous conditions pilots often face and how easily misjudgments can lead to potentially catastrophic situations. As aviation resounds with a fascinating blend of technology and human responsibility, continual training and a robust strategy for addressing visual illusions remain ever crucial to the safety of both passengers and crew in the skies.