Incomplete Circles

Not all approach procedures are aligned with the runway on which we want to land. Once we have it in sight, to get from the procedures missed approach point (MAP) to the desired runway, we may need to maneuver well within 1000 feet agl in low visibility, and do it at a relatively low airspeed to remain within airspace protected from obstacles. Its called circling to land, and is one of IFRs red-headed stepchildren: a visual maneuver, with IFR constraints.Sadly, a few of us each year prang airplanes while circling to a runway after an approach. To learn more about how and why, we looked at a collection of recent accidents during circling maneuvers. They all seem to have a few things in common, like banking too steeply in turns and letting the airplane descend too early.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Circling to land is a hazardous IFR maneuver, frequently leading to accidents caused by pilots banking too steeply, descending prematurely below the minimum descent altitude (MDA), or flying too fast for their aircraft category, which results in wider turns.
Many accidents stem from unstabilized approaches, where pilots struggle to maintain a controlled flight path, airspeed, and configuration while maneuvering close to the ground, sometimes due to a lack of proficiency in these complex visual operations.
To enhance safety, pilots should strive for stabilized circling approaches, perform only two controlled descents (to MDA, then to landing), adhere strictly to the MDA until in a position for a normal landing, and limit bank angles to under 30 degrees.

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Sadly, a few of us each year prang airplanes while circling to a runway after an approach. To learn more about how and why, we looked at a collection of recent accidents during circling maneuvers. They all seem to have a few things in common, like banking too steeply in turns and letting the airplane descend too early.