Flair 737 overrun: Fatigued captain pressed go-around switch instead of autothrottle disconnect

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Weekly newsletters on topics across the industryCanadian investigators have found that a Boeing 737-800 overran at Kitchener Waterloo airport after its fatigued captain inadvertently allowed thrust to increase on one engine as the other was reversing thrust after touchdown.On November 25, 2022, a Flair Airlines Boeing 737-800, operating as Flight FLE501 from Vancouver to Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, experienced a runway overrun upon landing at the Region of Waterloo International Airport. The incident, which occurred in the early morning hours, resulted in the aircraft coming to rest approximately 500 feet beyond the runway’s end. Fortunately, none of the 134 passengers and six crew members on board sustained injuries.

Flight and Approach Details

The aircraft departed Vancouver with an inoperative left engine thrust reverser, a condition permitted under minimum equipment list (MEL) provisions. This meant that the left thrust reverser was deactivated and locked in place, leaving only the right engine’s thrust reverser operational.

During the approach to runway 26 at Kitchener-Waterloo, the flight encountered unexpectedly low cloud cover, prompting the captain to mentally prepare for a possible go-around. At approximately 300 feet above ground level, the captain disengaged the autopilot but left the autothrottle engaged, contrary to Flair Airlines’ standard operating procedures, which require both systems to be disengaged simultaneously during approach.

Inadvertent Activation of Go-Around Mode

As the aircraft descended through 70 feet, the captain intended to disconnect the autothrottle. However, due to fatigue and possible task mismanagement, he inadvertently pressed the takeoff/go-around (TO/GA) switch instead. The TO/GA switch, located on the thrust levers, commands the autothrottle to increase engine thrust to go-around power settings. This action went unnoticed by the flight crew, as their attention was primarily focused