Boeing 737-8K5 (G-FDZF) plummet for a minute

The aircraft plummeted from the go-around height for almost a minute before ascending again during a go-around at Aberdeen Airport. All of the passengers and the six crew members were uninjured.

It’s probable that the crew became overworked during the go-around and allowed the aircraft to drop without noticing.

The need to fly the go-around manoeuvre manually, a larger-than-expected increase in power that resulted in a high pitch attitude and rate of ascent, and the fact that ATC gave non-standard go-around instructions all contributed to the high workload.

The epidemic had kept both pilots from flying for long stretches of time.

Following this incident, safety measures were implemented by the airport’s ATC regarding go-around procedures, the operator’s pilots were given instructions and a pertinent training programme was developed, and the manufacturer provided clarification on the autothrust system’s behaviour during go-arounds.