Unstable Approaches Continued to Landing

A stabilised approach is a long established defence against approach and landing accidents, in particular runway excursions, hard landings, tail strikes and runway-contact events.

The CAA has identified — through analysis of mandatory occurrence reports and operator safety data — an increase in the number of unstable approaches which are continued to a landing rather than discontinued. This trend is of concern.

This Safety Notice sets out the actions that operators are expected to take within their operational, safety management and training systems to reduce the incidence of unstable approaches continued to landing.