The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released the final investigation report into an Airbus A320’s descent below segment minimum safe altitude during a non-precision instrument approach to Perth Airport. This was reported from Canberra on 16 January at 0035GMT

The serious incident highlights the extent to which unexpected events and distractions during the approach and landing can substantially increase what is often a high workload period. That workload increase is even more apparent when the aircraft systems are not operating normally, or the systems are operating in a way that is not fully understood by the crew.

The report highlights the ongoing aviation safety issues of “too low on approach” and “inflight decision making”, which form part of the ATSB’s
SafetyWatch priorities.