Boeing 737, YU-ANJ, Brisbane Aerodrome, Queensland, on 19 November 1989

A passenger who claimed to be a co-pilot of another aircraft type reported verbally that, on approach to land, this aircraft had suffered buffet and wing drop which he felt was due to a stall. He was asked to submit a report, but none has been received. The person further reported that he travels in the rear of similar aircraft frequently and that on this occasion the nose attitude was high on final approach. Wing drop of the left wing was associated with the buffet and there were storms in the area during the descent.

The captain was interviewed by telephone, and the interviewer was asked to speak slowly to allow him to understand the questions. During the arrival, the aircraft was vectored by Air Traffic Control. Heavy icing was encountered during the descent and speed brakes were used. On the approach to land there was 21 to 23 knot crosswind from the left. He was unable to remember the minimum indicated airspeed during the approach. The co-pilot was flying the aircraft at the time, and a company instructor was on the flight deck as well. The captain is also a check captain on the type.

Analysis of this approach, and four other approaches to Brisbane held on the aircraft flight data recorder, was conducted. The indicated airspeed on this approach varied between 135 and 145 knots between 1500 feet and landing. The rate of descent for the same period was constant at about 700 feet per minute. Buffet was experienced between 1200 and 400 feet, during which time the airspeed varied between 135 and 141 knots. After passing 400 feet the heading altered to the right slightly, indicating that the left crosswind had reduced and the pilot was correcting to maintain the aircraft on the runway centreline. This approach was the most stable of the five approaches analysed and the airspeed was well above the stall speed on all approaches.

Significant Factors:

1. Complaint, by a passenger, regarding the aircraft speed on approach to land.