Asiana 214 Pilot Found Visual Approach 'Very Stressful'

Asiana 214 Pilot Found Visual Approach ‘Very Stressful’

Stephen Pope

Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 10:36 PM ET

Verified

** Courtesy of NTSB**

Key Takeaways:

The Asiana 214 training captain was anxious about the visual approach and confused about the Boeing 777's automation controls, including the autothrottles, leading to a dangerously low airspeed.
The accident occurred during a visual approach without the assistance of the ILS glideslope, which was out of service.
Despite being deemed "very well experienced" by Asiana, an instructor had noted concerns about the pilot's performance, organization, and adherence to standard procedures just two days prior to the crash.
The crash resulted in three fatalities and 181 injuries after the aircraft hit a seawall 34 knots too slow.

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The Asiana Airlines training captain who crashed a Boeing 777 at San Francisco International Airport in July was anxious about the visual approach, which he described as “very stressful,” according to investigators.

Capt. Lee Kang Kuk, an eight-year employee of Asiana on his first extended trip flying the 777, also told investigators he was confused about the operation of the airplane’s automation controls, according to a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday as the board held a hearing into the crash.