HONG KONG- The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) published Investigation Report IVR-2025-02 regarding a serious incident involving an Air India (AI) Boeing 787-8 aircraft at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on October 20, 2018.
The aircraft, traveling from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), descended rapidly during an approach to HKG, triggering multiple alerts before executing a go-around at 280 feet radio altitude approximately 2.6 nautical miles from the runway.
Photo: BoeingAir India 787 Go Around at Hong Kong
The investigation identified the primary cause of the incident as fluctuations in the Instrument Landing System (ILS) glideslope signal, which resulted in an undesired pitch-down maneuver and deviation of the aircraft below its intended flight path.
This technical malfunction, coupled with delayed recovery actions by the flight crew, caused the approach to become increasingly unstable.
Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) Boeing 787-8 aircraft (registration mark VT-ANE) ultimately descended to a critically low altitude of 280 feet while still approximately 2.6 nautical miles from the runway threshold—a position where the aircraft should have been at a significantly higher altitude following proper approach procedures.
Following the go-around maneuver, the flight crew successfully landed the aircraft during their second approach attempt without further incident.
The investigation team, operating under the Hong Kong-based AAIA, concluded their investigation with three specific safety recommendations directed to Air India.
These recommendations likely address procedural improvements, crew training enhancements, and technical response protocols when encountering ILS signal anomalies during critical phases of flight.
Photo: Mumbai Planes | Siddh DhuriAAIA Investigation Methodology and Standards
The investigation was conducted by a team of professional investigators in strict adherence to international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
According to an AAIA spokesperson, “The objective of the investigation was to identify the circumstances and causes of the serious incident to prevent a recurrence.” This approach aligns with global aviation safety principles that prioritize accident prevention over assigning blame.
Throughout the comprehensive investigation process, all involved parties were properly consulted regarding the findings and conclusions presented in the final report. This collaborative approach ensures technical accuracy and fairness in the investigative outcomes. The complete investigation report has been made publicly available for download on the AAIA webpage, providing transparency and valuable safety lessons for the global aviation community.
The AAIA operates as an independent investigation authority under the Transport and Logistics Bureau of Hong Kong.
Its mandate includes investigating civil aircraft accidents and incidents in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B) while adhering to ICAO’s internationally recognized standards and recommended practices.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Air India Chicago to Delhi Flight with 777 Makes U-Turn
The post Air India 787 Go Around in Hong Kong Due to ILS Failure appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
