Jet Airways 737 Completes Six Go-Arounds Before Safe Landing in Poor Weather

On August 18, 2015, Jet Airways Flight 9W555, a Boeing 737-800 registered VT-JFA, was operating from Doha to Kochi in India. The flight encountered poor weather during its arrival and ultimately completed six go-arounds before landing safely on the seventh approach at Thiruvananthapuram.

The first approach at Kochi ended when the crew could not obtain the required visual reference. The weather was reported as marginal, with haze and low cloud affecting the approach. Instead of immediately completing the diversion to an alternate airport, the crew attempted additional approaches.

Three approaches were made at Kochi and three more at Thiruvananthapuram after the aircraft diverted south. The repeated missed approaches consumed fuel and increased the workload associated with operating an already difficult arrival.

The final approach at Thiruvananthapuram was completed on Runway 32. Contemporary reporting states that the aircraft landed with approximately 349 kilograms of fuel remaining, according to the later investigation report. That figure was substantially below the fuel margin the crew had at the beginning of the sequence.

What the investigation highlighted

The later account of the event identified weaknesses in decision-making and operational policy surrounding repeated missed approaches. Contemporary reporting also described problems with the availability and communication of updated weather information and the absence of a company policy specifically limiting repeated approaches in deteriorating conditions.

The important point is that the aircraft never crashed. The danger developed through accumulation: marginal visibility, repeated approaches, increasing fuel consumption and the continuing decision to attempt another landing.

The event became an important case study because the first go-around had already demonstrated that the runway could not be acquired under the prevailing conditions. Each additional approach consumed more of the remaining margin. By the time the aircraft finally landed, the safety buffer had become very small.

Accident Facts

Recorded line: “Let's delve into the events of August 18, 2015, when a Jet Airways 737-800 departed from Hamad International Airport in Doha with the destination of Cochin, Southern India.”

Sources

Indian Aviation News / Decision Height — https://indianaviationnews.net/decisionheight/2015/08/21/the-story-of-jet-airways-flight-9w555-how-an-airline-and-its-pilot-nearly-crashed-a-passenger-plane-with-155-people-onboard/

SamChui, “6 Go Arounds – Jet Airways Boeing 737 Nearly Crash Story” — https://samchui.com/2022/02/27/6-go-arounds-jet-airways-boeing-737-nearly-crash-story/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJFz2VljV4k