Thai Airways’ pilot under investigation for botched landing at Frankfurt

A Thai Airways International pilot, flying for Thailand’s national flag carrier, is currently being investigated by Germany’s BFU (Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung), the country’s civil aviation investigators, for flying a Thai Airways plane below the standard altitude as the flight he was piloting, was approaching Frankfurt International Airport. The flight had originated in Phuket.

The incident has been related through the Outsider’s Aviation Facebook page.

The Thai Airways branded Airbus A350-900 direct flight from Phuket to Frankfurt, was approaching Frankfurt airport at a reported altitude of 800 feet above ground, which was below the standard safe minimum altitude for approaches to Frankfurt International Airport.

The pilot took the decision to initiate a go-around and took the plane up to about 5,000-feet before lining up for a second attempt, and landed successfully. The plane landed safely on 07R runway about 15 minutes after the first attempt.

Despite the safe landing, the BFU says the incident is “a serious violation of aviation safety standards” and ordered an investigation. The identity of the pilot has not been disclosed.

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SOURCE: Thai PBS World