Interesting mystery in Hong Kong

In October 2019, a Virgin Atlantic 787-9, as VS-206, was on an ILS approach into Hong Kong. As they got to waypoint RIVER, the aircraft suddenly veered to the right and descended below minimum safe altitude for the sector. The crew disconnected the autopilot, and were able to reestablish in the localizer and landed safely.

What makes this interesting is that this is the fourth similar event, all near the RIVER waypoint. In July of last year an Ethiopian 787-8 lost control. In September, an Etihad and another Virgin Atlantic 787-9 both veered off the localizer and descended below minimums. Investigators are looking at all the data to determine if it's something on the aircraft side, or the ground equipment causing it to happen.

simpleflying.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

Did you not post about a month ago about how some airports and aircraft autopilot systems were not linking up correctly?

Connection maybe?


Found it... nope looks like a different animal.

Member firerescue
www.abovetopsecret.com...

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a reply to: Bigburgh

One of the theories is something about the 787 systems, and possibly terrain. That approach apparently is more difficult and has high terrain near it.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I don't know HKG to well, it's out in a bay. Aside from normal hills terrain, would skyscrapers disrupt the autopilot?

See, all water except North bay as your suggesting.

a reply to: Bigburgh

One of the approaches goes towards the mountains before turning and paralleling them.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Thank you

Now I can see the approach.

a reply to: Bigburgh

The waypoint in question is here. You can see the terrain around it. All the incidents have occurred at this point.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Got to be something to do with the 787 I'd say as that seems to be all it's affecting.

There's something about the glide slope antenna setup that's causing it. I would hazard its getting some kind of reflection that's causing a false glide slope. What I cant say.

a reply to: thebozeian

I suspect you're right. Interesting that the 787 is sensitive enough that it's affected where others aren't.

Interesting, and scary. I've seen many discussions on here about how dependent pilots are on automation. All it takes in a situation like this is the pilots not immediately realizing what's happening and you've got a crash.

Thank God I don't have to fly anymore.

This may be related. Boeing put out a notice to operators that crews could see misleading glideslope information on approach. If the glideslope is captured as there is ILS interference, it can lead to either a short landing or long approach.

www.flightglobal.com...

Boeing issued a warning to 787 operators over the Hong Kong ILS issue, but has yet to develop a permanent fix for it. According to the FAA, the aircraft initially turned towards the localizer heading, but stopped short and flew a constant heading that intercepted the runway at a 20-30 degree angle. The Flight Director didn't show any warnings, but continued to display "LOC".