Soft Go-Around: Enhancing Flight Safety [Video]

On 12 May 2010, an aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Tripoli Airport in Libya. The plane was operating in foggy conditions and according to the final accident report from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), while executing a go-around procedure due to poor visibility and a terrain avoidance alert, the flight team suffered from spatial disorientation. 

This disorientation, combined with insufficient monitoring of flight parameters and inadequate crew reaction, led to a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Spatial disorientation occurs when pilots are unable to correctly interpret the aircraft’s attitude, altitude, or airspeed, often intensified by the lack of visual references. This incident underscored the importance of effective Crew Resource Management (CRM), adherence to operational procedures, and timely response to alerts.

How Soft Go-Around Enhances Safety

To prevent similar accidents, Airbus has developed the “soft go-around” (SGA) feature. This advanced functionality is designed to mitigate the risks associated with traditional go-around manoeuvres, particularly in challenging conditions.

The soft go-around system can be activated …