Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during a night approach in inclement weather. Because the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Hiroshima was only available for runway 10, the crew was forced to perform a non-precision RNAV approach to runway 28 due to wind conditions. Flight data indicates the aircraft began a controlled descent below the normal glide slope approximately 4 kilometres before impact. As the aircraft reached the decision altitude (minimums), the First Officer reported the runway was not in sight. Despite this, the Captain continued the descent, asking the First Officer to monitor the radio altimeter. The crew lost visual reference due to low clouds and fog, but a go-around was not initiated until the aircraft was only seconds from the ground. The late response resulted in the aircraft striking the 6.4-metre high localizer antenna in a nose-high attitude. The impact caused the aircraft to lose parts of its landing gear and caused substantial damage to the left wing and both engines before it skidded onto the runway surface and spun 120 degrees.
Final Conclusions
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) released its final report on 18 November 2016. The investigation concluded that the probable cause was the Captain's failure to immediately initiate a go-around when visual cues were lost below the decision altitude. Contributing factors included the First Officer's failure to challenge the Captain's deviation from Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), a breakdown in Crew Resource Management (CRM), and insufficient training by Asiana Airlines regarding visual references and instrument monitoring during non-precision approaches.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Fading Cues | Asiana Airlines Flight 162 — On 14 April 2015, the Airbus A320-232 aircraft touched down short of the runway, struck the localizer array, and skidded onto the runway at Hiroshima Airport.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
47 years old at the time of the accident. Had 8,242 total flight hours.
First Officer
35 years old at the time of the accident. Had 1,588 total flight hours.
Systems & Failure Modes
RNAV (Area Navigation)
A method of navigation that permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path. The crew used this for the approach to Runway 28 because it lacked an ILS.
EGPWS (Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System)
The system provided 'Minimums' and altitude callouts during the final descent, which were recorded on the CVR.
Localizer Array
The antenna structure located 325 metres before the runway threshold which the aircraft struck during its undershoot.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was an Airbus A320-232 delivered new to Asiana in 2007.
- 02The localizer antenna struck by the aircraft was 6.4 metres high.
- 03The aircraft rotated 120 degrees after exiting the runway and came to rest facing the opposite direction.
- 04The accident resulted in 28 injuries (26 passengers and 2 crew members) among the 81 people on board.
- 05The ILS at Hiroshima Airport was only available for approaches from the west (Runway 10).
- 06The aircraft suffered substantial damage to the left wing and engine during the impact and subsequent skid.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Flight Crew Training Reinforcement
The JTSB recommended Asiana Airlines reinforce the importance of adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specifically regarding go-around triggers.
Visual Reference Training
The airline was instructed to implement training for pilots to improve awareness of visual references and the appropriate use of flight instruments during low-visibility transitions.