AAIB investigation to Boeing 787-8, G-TUIB
Declaration of a fuel emergency following a missed approach due to windshear, Birmingham Airport, 21 December 2023
G-TUIB had crossed the Atlantic and was holding to make an approach into Manchester Airport (MAN), on a day of significant weather disruption owing to the high wind conditions that were forecast to affect the northern half of the UK. The commander then elected to divert to the nominated alternate of East Midlands Airport (EMA) but was denied because of capacity constraints at EMA and instead diverted to Birmingham Airport (BHX). On final approach to BHX, the aircraft encountered windshear and carried out a missed approach. A fuel emergency was declared and the aircraft subsequently landed below final reserve fuel after its second approach.
Safety action in relation to diversions and aircraft emergencies has been implemented by both EMA and BHX following their own internal investigations. The actions taken addressed the process for determining and communicating airport capacity for diversions, and prioritisation for aircraft that have declared an emergency.
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