Page:NTSB Southern Airways Flight 932 report.pdf/20

 1. Any deviation below published transition altitudes.

2. 500' above field elevation and state "No Flags" or "Flags On" as seen on instrument.

3. 100' above minimums

4. At minimums, call out "Minimums—Runway in Sight" or "Minimums—No Runway"

5. Any sink rate of 1,000 feet/minute or more.

The manual also stated that descent rates in excess of 1,00 feet/minute and flat approaches were to be avoided. The procedure for either a missed-approach or a rejected landing was the same:


 * 1) Set takeoff power.
 * 2) Rotate immediately to stop descent (minimum 10°) and simultaneously call flaps 15°.
 * 3) Continue as in normal takeoff.
 * 4) Do not raise gear until climb is established.

The radio altimeter system was described in Southern Airways DC-9 Operating Manual in general terms, including the following, "Two separate radio altimeter systems on the (Dash 31)... are provided to obtain precise altitude information above the ground at the minimum decision (sic) altitude (MDA). This information is essential to the pilot in his decision to land or initiate a go-around maneuver." The chief pilot for Southern Airways testified that this statement was misleading that it was excerpted from the DACO DC-9 manual, and was more applicable to precision approaches over level terrain than to nonprecision approaches of this type. He emphasized that Southern's pilots were cautioned in training against using the radio altimeter as a primary reference. In amplifying their training procedure, he also indicated that the pilots were trained to call out altitudes in terms of m.s.l. except the "hundred above" and "minimums" which were obviously referenced to MDA. The 500-foot flag scan was required on all approaches, whether visual or instrument, and a comprehensive standardization program was conducted. He stated that he was not aware that any company pilots deviated from this practice. He