Southwest B38M at Tampa on Jul 14th 2024, descended below minimum safe height on approach

Last Update: July 20, 2024 / 16:36:21 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jul 14, 2024

Classification
Incident

Airline
Southwest Airlines

Flight number
WN-425

Departure
Columbus, United States

Destination
Tampa, United States

Aircraft Registration
N8841L

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800MAX

ICAO Type Designator
B38M

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration N8841L performing flight WN-425 from Columbus,OH to Tampa,FL (USA), had been holding enroute due to weather at Tampa before continuing the approach to Tampa. On final approach to Tampa's runway 10, ambient pressure was stated 30.14 in/Hg by tower, the crew was advised of a headwind gain of about 10 knots at low altitude and a "bumpy ride". The aircraft descended below minimum safe height, when tower issued a low altitude alert they levelled off. About 50 seconds after the low altitude alert tower queried whether they were planning to go around, which the crew affirmed. Tower cancelled the approach clearance and instructed a go around. The aircraft initiated a go around from about 370 feet AGL (compensated for local ambient pressure) about 4.2nm before the runway threshold. The aircraft climbed out to safety and diverted to Fort Lauderdale,FL (USA) for a safe landing about 40 minutes later.

The aircraft remained on the ground in Fort Lauderdale for about an hour, then continued to Tampa for a landing without further incident.

ADS-B data suggest the aircraft descended to about 370 feet AGL/MSL, about 150 feet measured to standard pressure (which puts the aircraft 220 feet higher than the transponder suggests due to ambient pressure at 30.14 in/Hg), about 4.2nm before the runway threshold before going around.



KTPA 150153Z 12005KT 8SM -RA BKN120 24/24 A3012 RMK AO2 TSE04 SLP199 P0009 T02440239=
KTPA 150105Z 12004KT 7SM -RA FEW044 BKN130 BKN200 24/24 A3014 RMK AO2 TSE04 P0001 T02440239=
KTPA 150053Z 09004KT 10SM -TSRA FEW044CB BKN130 OVC200 24/23 A3015 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT W AND NW PRESFR SLP210 OCNL LTGICCA VC S AND NW TS VC S AND NW MOV NW P0010 T02440233=
KTPA 142353Z 21006G16KT 9SM -TSRA FEW012 SCT044CB BKN110 OVC150 25/23 A3016 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT ALQDS SLP213 CONS LTGICCCCG OHD AND ALQDS TS OHD AND ALQDS MOV NW P0013 60015 T02500233 10339 20244 53033=
KTPA 142253Z 12009G17KT 10SM -TSRA FEW015 BKN040CB BKN250 25/23 A3013 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT ALQDS SLP203 CONS LTGICCCCG OHD AND ALQDS TS OHD AND ALQDS MOV NW P0002 T02500228=
KTPA 142153Z VRB04G18KT 10SM -TSRA FEW015 BKN040CB BKN250 27/23 A3008 RMK AO2 PK WND 12030/2132 WSHFT 2115 LTG DSNT NE-S RAB42 PRESFR SLP186 CONS LTGICCCCG OHD-N-SE TS OHD-N-SE MOV N P0000 T02670233=
KTPA 142133Z 09018G30KT 10SM TS FEW015 BKN045CB BKN160 BKN250 28/24 A3011 RMK AO2 PK WND 12030/2132 WSHFT 2115 LTG DSNT NE-S PRESRR CONS LTGICCCCG NE-SE TS NE-SE MOV N VCSH NE-SE T02780239=
KTPA 142123Z 35011KT 10SM TS FEW015 BKN045CB BKN160 BKN250 31/24 A3010 RMK AO2 WSHFT 2105 LTG DSNT NE-S PRESRR CONS LTGICCCCG NE-SE TS NE-SE MOV N CB DSNT ALQDS VCSH NE-SE T03060244=
KTPA 142053Z 26012KT 10SM TS SCT045CB SCT160 BKN250 33/24 A3007 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT ALQDS TSB35 SLP180 FRQ LTGICCG E-SE TS E-SE MOV N CB DSNT ALQDS VCSH E-SE AND SW T03330244 58023=
KTPA 142036Z 25009KT 10SM TS SCT045CB SCT160 BKN250 34/24 A3007 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT N AND SE AND SW TSB35 OCNL LTGIC VC SE TS VC SE MOV N CB DSNT ALQDS VCSH SE AND SW T03390239 $=
KTPA 141953Z 25007KT 10SM FEW045 FEW090 SCT160 SCT250 33/24 A3008 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE AND S SLP186 CB DSNT SE AND SW AND NW T03330244 $=
KTPA 141853Z 25007KT 10SM SCT044 SCT090 BKN160 BKN250 32/24 A3012 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S SLP197 CB DSNT S T03220244 $=
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
N8841L
Country of Registration
United States
Date of Registration
Ilijilghmc fdkdm Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
BOEING
Aircraft Model / Type
737-8
Number of Seats
Flq Subscribe to unlock
ICAO Aircraft Type
B38M
Year of Manufacture
Ab h Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
Ekmeq Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
Fdqc e Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
Q Subscribe to unlock
Engine Manufacturer
jemkcqi Subscribe to unlock
Engine Model
GApddbkcgikee Subscribe to unlock
Engine Type
Bglfhdpnm Subscribe to unlock
Pounds of Thrust
Ppdn Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
DqlAfAAkhndpgbfdnlkqhcjmlki lmfecqglnh chjebdgdjl qchbpkmqlppbenknjgbfAdpip ffhmin dch Subscribe to unlock
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jul 14, 2024

Classification
Incident

Airline
Southwest Airlines

Flight number
WN-425

Departure
Columbus, United States

Destination
Tampa, United States

Aircraft Registration
N8841L

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800MAX

ICAO Type Designator
B38M

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