Qatar A320 near Baghdad and Doha on Dec 23th 2022, return to Doha results in fuel emergency

Last Update: January 29, 2023 / 14:37:33 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 23, 2022

Classification
Incident

Airline
Qatar Airways

Flight number
QR-442

Departure
Doha, Qatar

Destination
Baghdad

Aircraft Registration
A7-AHQ

Aircraft Type
Airbus A320

ICAO Type Designator
A320

A Qatar Airways Airbus A320-200, registration A7-AHQ performing flight QR-442 from Doha (Qatar) to Baghdad (Irak), performed a final approach to Baghdad's runway 33R but went around from about 1000 feet MSL and climbed back to FL200 to return to Doha. The crew subsequently turned around, performed a second approach to Baghdad's runway 15L but went around from about 500 feet AGL on that second approach about 40 minutes after the first go-around. Following the second go around the crew climbed the aircraft to FL310 and later FL330 and FL350 and returned to Doha. On approach to Doha the aircraft entered a hold at 3000 feet for about 10 minutes, then declared Fuel Emergency and continued for a safe landing on Doha's runway 16L about 4:20 hours after departure.

Qatar's QAAI reported the aircraft was nearing the top of descent into Baghdad (presumably at FL330) about 115nm short of Baghdad when the crew decided to return to Doha. The reason for this decision was not reported/conveyed, however, the aircraft had no technical malfunction. A fuel emergency was declared 12nm before touchdown back in Doha. The occurrence was rated a serious incident and is being investigated.

On Jan 29th 2023 the QAAI informed The Aviation Herald, that following additional information the occurrence was re-categorized an incident, the investigation was cancelled.

According to METARs there were thunderstorms over Baghdad Airport from about 16:40Z to about 20:00Z with the aircraft's first go around at 18:17Z and second approach at 18:58Z.

METARs Baghdad:
ORBI 231957Z 07020KT 3000 TS SHRA BR SCT020CB OVC030 13/13 Q1004=
ORBI 231942Z 07023KT 3000 TS SHRA BR SCT020CB OVC030 13/13 Q1004=
ORBI 231900Z 07020KT 3000 TS SHRA BR SCT020CB OVC030 13/13 Q1005=
ORBI 231800Z 07025KT 3000 TS SHRA BR SCT020CB OVC030 14/14 Q1006 NOSIG=
ORBI 231729Z 07023G33KT 5000 TS SHRA BR SCT020CB OVC030 14/14 Q1006=
ORBI 231720Z 07022G41KT 5000 TS SHRA BR FEW025CB OVC030 15/14 Q1006=
ORBI 231700Z 06014KT 3000 TS SHRA BR FEW025CB SCT030 OVC100 14/14 Q1007 NOSIG=
ORBI 231640Z 06013KT 3000 TS SHRA BR FEW025CB OVC100 15/15 Q1007=
ORBI 231600Z 03009KT 3000 RA BR SCT030 OVC100 14/14 Q1008=
ORBI 231515Z 02005KT 350V050 2000 -RA BR SCT030 OVC100 14/14 Q1009=
ORBI 231508Z 36005KT 3000 RA BR OVC030 14/14 Q1009=
ORBI 231500Z 36005KT 3500 RA BR OVC030 14/14 Q1009 NOSIG=
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 23, 2022

Classification
Incident

Airline
Qatar Airways

Flight number
QR-442

Departure
Doha, Qatar

Destination
Baghdad

Aircraft Registration
A7-AHQ

Aircraft Type
Airbus A320

ICAO Type Designator
A320

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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