Lufthansa A388 at Miami on May 15th 2014, landed below final fuel reserve

Last Update: September 18, 2014 / 14:01:46 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Lufthansa D-AIMD, Airbus A380-800 — Lufthansa D-AIMD, Airbus A380-800 (Photo credit: Aero Icarus / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
May 15, 2014

Classification
Incident

Airline
Lufthansa

Flight number
LH-462

Departure
Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Destination
Miami, United States

Aircraft Registration
D-AIMD

Aircraft Type
Airbus A380-800

ICAO Type Designator
A388

A Lufthansa Airbus A380-800, registration D-AIMD performing flight LH-462 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Miami,FL (USA) with 427 people on board, was descending towards Miami, when the crew stopped the descent at 9000 feet due to weather conditions and entered a hold. After about 20 minutes holding the crew decided to divert to Orlando,FL, climbed to FL220 but aborted the flight to Orlando, turned around and decided to divert to Fort Lauderdale,FL, but again needed to decide to abort the approach to Fort Lauderdale due to weather declaring emergency because of being low on fuel. The crew decided to land in Miami as the weather had improved sufficiently in Miami. Upon checking in with Miami approach on approach to Miami the crew advised they had 5.2 tons of fuel remaining. The aircraft was vectored for an ILS approach to runway 27, went through a windshear (loss of 15 knots) about 2nm before touchdown, became visual at 400 feet AGL and landed safely on runway 27 at 15:26L (19:26Z) about 75 minutes after stopping the first descent at 9000 feet and about 13 minutes after reporting 5.2 tons of fuel remaining. The aircraft was instructed to roll to the end of the runway, vacate the runway there and follow the "Follow Me" vehicle awaiting the aircraft there.

Sources told The Aviation Herald, that the aircraft touched down with 3 tons of fuel remaining, which was below the required final fuel reserve.

The FAA confirmed on May 30th 2014, that the FAA have opened an investigation into the occurrence but advised that details would not be available before one month's time.

On Sep 18th 2014 Germany's BFU reported, that the BFU is investigating the occurrence rated a serious incident. The BFU reported that Miami reported thunderstorms in the vicinity of the aerodrome, the crew regularly checked for updates on Miami and alternate airports while enroute. Descending towards Miami air traffic control told the crew that weather conditions had deteriorated substantially which prompted the crew to divert to Orlando. The aircraft was vectored to the south first before turning north towards Orlando. About 50-60nm before touchdown at Orlando air traffic control told the crew that the airport of Orlando had closed due to severe thunderstorm activity over the aerodrome, the crew decided to divert to Fort Lauderdale and declared emergency due to being low on fuel. While on approach the weather conditions at Fort Lauderdale deteriorated, too, so that the crew decided to land on the longer runway 27 of Miami International Airport, the aircraft landed safely.

Metars Miami:
KMIA 152053Z VRB05KT 10SM -RA FEW031 BKN055 BKN070 BKN250 24/23 A2995
KMIA 152045Z COR 09005KT 10SM -RA FEW031 BKN055 BKN070 BKN250 24/23 A2995 RMK AO2 TSE45 TS MOV NE CB DSNT SE P0030 T02390228
KMIA 151953Z 34005KT 7SM -TSRA FEW014CB BKN031 OVC060 23/22 A2999 RMK AO2 PK WND 29030/1910 WSHFT 1903 SLP155 OCNL LTGICCG E-SE TS E-SE MOV NE P0033 T02330222
KMIA 151923Z COR 34012G25KT 1SM +TSRA BR FEW007 SCT019CB OVC031 23/22 A2998 RMKAO2 PK WND 29030/1910 WSHFT 1903 OCNL LTGICCG OHD TS OHD MOV NE P0005 T02330217
KMIA 151911Z 31018G30KT 270V340 7SM -TSRA SCT019CB OVC033 25/22 A2997 RMK AO2 PK WND 29030/1910 OCNL LTGICCG OHD-W TS OHD-W MOV NE P0000 T02500222
KMIA 151853Z 00000KT 7SM -TSRA FEW005 BKN012CB BKN250 26/23 A2998 RMK TORNADO B29 3 MILES WEST MOV NE TORNADO E37 AO2 RAE28B34 SLP152 OCNL LTGIC OHD-SW-N TS OHD-SW-N MOV NE P0019 T02610233
KMIA 151839Z VRB06KT 1/2SM TSRA VV010 26/23 A2997 RMK TORNADO B29 3 MILES WEST MOV NE TORNADO E37 AO2 RAE28B34 OCNL LTGIC OHD TS OHD MOV NE P0019 T02610233
KMIA 151831Z VRB06KT 7SM +FC TS SCT015CB BKN035 BKN080 BKN300 26/24 A2998 RMK TORNADO B29 3 MILES WEST MOV NE AO2 RAE28 OCNL LTGIC W-NW TS W-NW MOV NE P0008 T02
KMIA 151753Z 09005KT 7SM -TSRA SCT012CB BKN035 BKN070 BKN300 25/24 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP152 OCNL LTGICCG W-NW TS W-NW MOV NE P0065 60114 T02500239 10283 20239 58011
KMIA 151749Z 07003KT 7SM -TSRA SCT012CB BKN035 BKN070 BKN300 24/23 A2999 RMK AO2 OCNL LTGICCG W-NW TS W-NW MOV NE P0065
KMIA 151732Z 14009G17KT 3SM +TSRA BR FEW007 BKN014CB OVC037 25/23 A3000 RMK AO2OCNL LTGIC OHD TS OHD MOV NE P0039 T02500233
KMIA 151723Z 17011G18KT 1/2SM +TSRA FG FEW007 OVC014CB 26/24 A3000 RMK AO2 OCNLLTGIC OHD TS OHD MOV NE P0025 T02560239
KMIA 151653Z 13009KT 6SM TSRA BR FEW007 BKN015CB OVC050 26/24 A3000 RMK AO2 RAB23 TSB26 SLP158 VIS SW 2 OCNL LTGIC VC SW-W TS VC SW-W MOV NE CB OHD-S MOV NE P0009 T02610244
KMIA 151626Z 18012G19KT 7SM -TSRA SCT009 BKN015CB BKN080 OVC300 26/24 A3001 RMKAO2 RAB23 TSB26 OCNL LTGIC S-SW TS S-SW MOV N P0000 T02610239
KMIA 151553Z 16010KT 10SM SCT013CB BKN130 BKN300 27/24 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT N AND W RAE32 SLP161 TSE21 CB NE-SE-SW MOV N P0020 T02670244
KMIA 151521Z COR VRB06KT 7SM -RA FEW010 SCT015CB BKN040 OVC150 26/24 A3002 RMK AO2 TSE21 CB OHD-N-E-SE MOV N P0020 T02560239
KMIA 151453Z 19010G18KT 5SM +TSRA BR FEW009 BKN015CB BKN055 BKN150 26/23 A3001 RMK AO2 RAB31 TSB24 SLP163 VIS W 1 1/2 OCNL LTGICCG OHD-S-NW TS OHD-S-NW MOV NE P0020 60020 T02560233 51006
KMIA 151549Z 15010KT 10SM SCT015CB BKN130 BKN300 27/24 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NAND W RAE32 CB NE-SE-S MOV N P0020
KMIA 151446Z 19010KT 4SM +TSRA FEW009 BKN015CB BKN060 BKN150 26/23 A3001 RMK AO2 RAB31 TSB24 OCNL LTGICCG AT AP SW-W TS AT AP SW-W MOV NE P0008 T02610233
KMIA 151424Z COR 13013KT 10SM TS FEW009 BKN015CB BKN060 BKN150 28/24 A3001 RMK AO2 TSB24 OCNL LTGICCG VC SW TS VC SW MOV NE T02830239
KMIA 151353Z 15005KT 10SM BKN016CB BKN040 BKN150 26/24 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP163 CB OHD-NE-SE MOV N T02610239 $

Metars Orlando:
KMCO 152053Z 23005KT 10SM FEW022 SCT045CB BKN070 OVC160 27/23 A2991 RMK AO2 RAB01E15 TSE10 SLP127 CB NE MOV NE CB DSNT SE-SW MOV NE P0000 60077 T02670228 53002
KMCO 152011Z 23009KT 10SM -RA FEW025CB SCT050 BKN070 BKN150 27/24 A2989 RMK AO2RAB01 TSE10 TS MOV NE CB NW-N MOV NECB DSNT NE-SE-S MOV NE P0000 T02720244
KMCO 152011Z COR 23009KT 10SM -RA FEW025CB SCT050 BKN070 BKN150 27/24 A2989 RMKAO2 RAB01 TSE10 TS MOV NE CB NW-N MOV NE CB DSNT NE-SE-S MOV NE P0000 T02720244
KMCO 151953Z 26007KT 10SM TS FEW015 SCT033CB BKN060 OVC150 26/23 A2990 RMK AO2 PK WND 28026/1901 WSHFT 1840 RAE44 SLP125 FRQ LTGICCC NE-SE TS NE-SE MOV NE CB DSNT NW MOV NE P0059 T02560233
KMCO 151909Z 34006G26KT 4SM R35L/1600VP6000FT -TSRA BKN018 BKN035CB OVC090 23/20 A2991 RMK AO2 PK WND 28026/1901 WSHFT 1840 CONS LTGICCCCG N-E-SE TS N-E-SE MOV
KMCO 151917Z 15008KT 7SM R35L/1600VP6000FT -TSRA SCT024 BKN037CB BKN090 OVC200 24/21 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 28026/1901 WSHFT 1840 CONS LTGICCCCG NE-SE TS NE-SE MO
KMCO 151859Z 27021G26KT 1SM R35L/2000VP6000FT TSRA BR SCT024CB BKN038 OVC050 24/23 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 26026/1858 WSHFT 1840 PRESRR CONS LTGICCCCG OHD AND ALQD
KMCO 151853Z 30018KT 3SM +TSRA SCT030CB BKN050 OVC220 25/22 A2990 RMK AO2 WSHFT 1839 RAB39 TSB17 SLP124 FRQ LTGICCCCG N TS N MOV NE CB OHD-S-W MOV NE P0018 T02500222
KMCO 151818Z 16010KT 10SM TS FEW027CB SCT048 BKN090 BKN250 30/23 A2990 RMK AO2 TSB17 OCNL LTGICCG NW TS NW MOV NE T03000228
KMCO 151753Z 15010KT 10SM FEW016 SCT035CB BKN090 BKN250 29/22 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP125 CB SW-NW MOV NE T02940222 10317 20239 58025
KMCO 151653Z 20011KT 10SM SCT028CB SCT080 BKN250 32/22 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP134 CB E SW AND DSNT NW MOV NE T03170222
KMCO 151553Z 16012G18KT 10SM SCT024CB BKN250 29/22 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP143 CB NE-SE AND DSNT SW-DSNT NW MOV NE VCSH E T02890222

Metars Fort Lauderdale:
KFLL 152053Z 19007KT 9SM FEW050 SCT075 SCT100 23/23 A2993 RMK AO2 RAE52 TSE31 SLP135 CB NE-SE MOV NE P0021 60304 T02330233 58017 $
KFLL 152032Z 20006KT 6SM RA BR SCT045 BKN100 OVC120 23/23 A2995 RMK AO2 TSE31 CB NE AND SE MOV NE P0020 T02330233 $
KFLL 152017Z 22009KT 3SM TSRA BR BKN037 BKN050 OVC110 23/23 A2996 RMK AO2 ONCL LTGIC NE TS NE MOV NE P0017 T02330233 $
KFLL 152003Z 18008KT 1SM R10L/3500VP6000FT +TSRA BR FEW014 BKN027 OVC065 23/23 A2997 RMK AO2 FRQ LTGICCG OHD TS OHD MOV NE P0008 T02330233 $
KFLL 151953Z 18010KT 1/2SM R10L/3000VP6000FT +TSRA FG VV017 24/24 A2998 RMK AO2 PK WND 10030/1928 WSHFT 1929 SLP151 CON LTGICCG OHD-ALQDS TS OHD-ALQDS MOV NE P0230 T02440244 $
KFLL 151944Z 19011KT 1/2SM R10L/3000VP6000FT +TSRA FG VV017 24/24 A2999 RMK AO2PK WND 10030/1928 WSHFT 1929 CON LTGICCG OHD-ALQDS TS OHD-ALQDS MOV NE P0205 T02
KFLL 151936Z 18015G30KT 1/2SM R10L/2000V4000FT +TSRA FG OVC014 24/24 A2999 RMK AO2 PK WND 10030/1928 CON LTGICCG OHD-ALQDS TS OHD-ALQDS MOV NE P0189 T02440244 $
KFLL 151853Z 14012KT 1 1/2SM R10L/4000VP6000FT +TSRA BR BKN015 BKN065 BKN100 25/24 A2999 RMK AO2 TSB11 SLP155 OCNL LTGCG S TS S MOV N P0053 T02500244
KFLL 151812Z 19008G17KT 1 1/4SM R10L/3500VP6000FT +TSRA BR BKN015 BKN065 BKN10026/24 A2999 RMK AO2 TSB11 OCNL LTGCG S TS S MOV N P0008 T02560244
KFLL 151810Z 19012G17KT 1 1/4SM R10L/3500VP6000FT -RA BR BKN015 BKN065 BKN100 26/24 A2999 RMK AO2 P0007 T02560244
KFLL 151802Z 17010KT 10SM -RA BKN015 BKN040 BKN065 27/26 A2998 RMK AO2 P0001 T02670256
KFLL 151800Z 16010KT 10SM -RA FEW016 SCT043 BKN065 27/26 A2998 RMK AO2 P0000 T02670256
KFLL 151753Z 16009KT 10SM -RA SCT014 BKN025 BKN035 27/26 A2998 RMK AO2 RAB00E15B34 SLP152 TCU S-SW P0002 60040 T02670256 10289 20261 58005
KFLL 151707Z 15014KT 10SM RA SCT014 BKN025 BKN050 27/26 A2999 RMK AO2 RAB00 P0002 T02670256
KFLL 151704Z 16014G19KT 7SM -RA SCT014 BKN025 BKN050 27/26 A2999 RMK AO2 RAB00 P0001 T02670256
KFLL 151657Z COR 15013G19KT 10SM BKN014 BKN025 BKN050 27/26 A2999 RMK AO2 T02670261
KFLL 151653Z 15011KT 3SM BR SCT016 BKN028 BKN065 27/26 A2999 RMK AO2 RAE52 SLP155 P0019 T02670261
KFLL 151627Z 16013G20KT 10SM -RA SCT016 BKN028 BKN065 27/26 A3000 RMK AO2 P0002T02670256
KFLL 151553Z 15014KT 7SM -RA SCT015 BKN037 OVC100 27/25 A3000 RMK AO2 RAB37 TSB20E42E48 SLP157 CB NW MOV N P0019 T02670250