Virgin Australia B738 at Coolangatta on Jan 24th 2023, long landing

Last Update: April 13, 2023 / 09:35:09 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Virgin Australia VH-YQM, Boeing 737-800 — Virgin Australia VH-YQM, Boeing 737-800 (Photo modified based on photo from Kgbo / Wikimedia Commons / License: CC by-sa 4.0)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jan 24, 2023

Classification
Incident

Airline
Virgin Australia

Flight number
VA-539

Departure
Sydney, Australia

Destination
Coolangatta, Australia

Aircraft Registration
VH-YQM

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800

ICAO Type Designator
B738

Airport
Gold Coast Airport, Gold Coast

Airport ICAO Code
YBCG

A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YQM performing flight VA-539 from Sydney,NS to Coolangatta,QL (Australia), landed on Coolangatta's runway 32 in poor weather conditions, the crew was unable to see the touch down zone markers. The aircraft touched down without further incident and taxied to the apron.

On Apr 13th 2023 Australia's TSB (ATSB) reported they have opened an investigation into the occurrence rated a serious incident stating the aircraft touched down beyond the touch down zone. The ATSB wrote:

At about 1839 local time, while landing on runway 32 in poor weather conditions, the flight crew was unable to sight the touchdown markers. The aircraft was subsequently landed beyond the touchdown zone.

In early April, the operator provided the ATSB with a copy of their safety investigation report, which provided additional information regarding the incident. After obtaining this information, the ATSB decided to investigate the incident.

As part of the investigation, the ATSB will examine the circumstances leading to the long landing and determine contributing factors. The investigation will include interviewing the flight crew and other relevant persons, examining available recorded data, obtain weather information, reviewing relevant procedures and collecting other evidence as required.

Metars:
YBCG 241000Z AUTO 03009KT 9999 -RA NCD 22/21 Q1012 RF00.0/017.4 DL-NE/DL-NW=
YBCG 240930Z AUTO 02007KT 9999 -RA SCT009 SCT078 OVC110 23/21 Q1012 RERA=
YBCG 240926Z AUTO 35006KT 270V030 9999 VCTS -RA SCT009 SCT065 SCT080 23/21 Q1012 RERA=
YBCG 240904Z AUTO 26002KT 5000 VCTS RA SCT019 BKN051 BKN065 23/22 Q1012 RETS=
YBCG 240900Z AUTO 25002KT 4400 TSRA SCT015 SCT022 BKN053 23/22 Q1012=
YBCG 240852Z AUTO 23001KT 3400 +TSRA SCT015 BKN020 BKN035 23/22 Q1012=
YBCG 240838Z AUTO 24007KT 2800 +TSRA SCT016 BKN022 OVC027 24/22 Q1012=
YBCG 240830Z AUTO 27007KT 240V350 //// TS BKN019 OVC025 24/22 Q1012=
YBCG 240830Z AUTO 27007KT 240V350 //// TS BKN019 OVC025 24/22 Q1012=
YBCG 240800Z AUTO 36008KT 9999 TSRA SCT023 OVC037 25/22 Q1011=
YBCG 240800Z AUTO 36008KT 9999 TSRA SCT023 OVC037 25/22 Q1011=
YBCG 240745Z AUTO 35010KT 9999 -TSRA BKN023 BKN032 OVC037 25/21 Q1010=
YBCG 240735Z AUTO 36010KT 9999 VCTS -SHRA BKN023 OVC032 OVC037 26/21 Q1010 RETS VCTS-N/VCTS-NE/VCTS-S/VCTS-SW/VCTS-W/VCTS-NW=
YBCG 240730Z AUTO 36009KT 9999 -TSRA BKN023 OVC032 OVC037 26/21 Q1010=
YBCG 240730Z AUTO 36009KT 9999 -TSRA BKN023 OVC032 OVC037 26/21 Q1010=
YBCG 240707Z AUTO 01013KT 9999 TS SCT037 26/21 Q1009 RF00.0/000.0 TS=
YBCG 240700Z AUTO 01013KT 9999 // SCT037 26/21 Q1008 RF00.0/000.0 DL-SW/DL-W=
YBCG 240630Z AUTO 01012KT 9999 // SCT022 OVC035 27/21 Q1008=
YBCG 240600Z AUTO 01012KT 9999 // ////// 28/21 Q1009 RF00.0/000.0=
YBCG 240530Z AUTO 02013KT 9999 // ////// 28/21 Q1009 RF00.0/000.0=