Asiana Airlines Flight 214

Asiana Airlines Flight 214
NTSB · Public domain · source
Occurrence type	Accident
Name	Asiana Airlines Flight 214
Caption	An Boeing 777 similar to the accident aircraft
Date	July 6, 2013
Summary	Controlled flight into terrain during visual approach due to pilot error, automation mismanagement, and training issues
Site	San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco Bay Area
Aircraft type	Boeing 777-200ER
Operator	Asiana Airlines
Tail number	HL7742
Origin	Incheon International Airport
Stopover	San Francisco International Airport
Destination	San Francisco International Airport
Passengers	291
Crew	16
Injuries	187

Asiana Airlines Flight 214 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Incheon International Airport in South Korea to San Francisco International Airport in the United States, operated by Asiana Airlines. On July 6, 2013, the Boeing 777-200ER operating the flight crashed short of runway 28L at San Francisco International Airport, resulting in multiple fatalities, numerous injuries, and substantial aircraft damage. The accident prompted major investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, Korean Aviation Authorities, and manufacturer Boeing, and led to changes in airline training, automation policy, and international aviation oversight.

Flight and Aircraft

The aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER (manufacturer variant ER), was delivered new to Asiana Airlines and registered HL7742; its operator record included routine long-haul service between Incheon International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. The crew consisted of a pilot flying, a pilot monitoring, and additional cockpit personnel, several of whom held type ratings issued by Asiana Airlines and certifications overseen by the Korea Office of Civil Aviation and recognized under International Civil Aviation Organization standards. The flight departed Incheon International Airport and conducted a typical transpacific crossing via established tracks used by flights between Asia and the United States, including navigation over the Pacific Ocean and approach into the San Francisco Bay Area. On approach to runway 28L, the crew flew a visual approach in conditions influenced by coastal weather phenomena typical of San Francisco Bay Area, with air traffic control services provided by San Francisco International Airport Tower.

Accident Summary

During final approach, the aircraft's airspeed decreased substantially below the target approach speed; the airplane descended below the desired glide path and struck the seawall and approach lights just short of runway 28L. The tail and fuselage impacted the ground and runway infrastructure, causing the aircraft to break apart and catch fire. The National Transportation Safety Board later characterized the event as a controlled flight into terrain resulting from the flight crew's mismanagement of Boeing automation modes and manual flight monitoring during a visual approach. Contributing operational factors cited included improper use of the autopilot/autothrottle systems on the Boeing 777 flight deck, inadequate monitoring of airspeed and vertical profile, and confusion over thrust mode indications that are part of Boeing 777 automation logic.

Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board led the U.S. investigation with technical assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, Asiana Airlines, and the Korea Office of Civil Aviation. The NTSB analyzed flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, radar, air traffic control communications with San Francisco International Airport Tower, and eyewitness and survivor accounts. Key findings identified deficiencies in crew training at Asiana Airlines, language and communication issues on the flight deck, and a lack of effective cross-monitoring between pilots during the visual approach. The investigation reviewed Boeing flight-deck automation modes—such as autothrottle and flight director modes—and how mode annunciations were understood by the crew. The NTSB issued safety recommendations to Asiana Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, and International Civil Aviation Organization bodies addressing training, crew resource management, and design cues for automation state awareness.

Casualties and Injuries

Three Chinese teenage passengers died as a result of the accident, making them among the first documented fatalities from the crash; numerous passengers and crew sustained injuries of varying severity. Emergency responders from San Francisco Fire Department, San Mateo County Fire Department, and San Francisco International Airport Fire Department conducted rescue operations, aided by medical facilities including San Francisco General Hospital and other Bay Area hospitals that treated burn, blunt trauma, and smoke inhalation cases. In total, 187 people aboard sustained injuries, many requiring hospitalization and follow-up care; evacuation procedures and cabin survivability were subject to subsequent analysis by investigators and safety authorities.

Aftermath and Safety Changes

The crash prompted immediate operational changes by Asiana Airlines, including revisions to training curricula, manual-flight proficiency emphasis, and standard operating procedures for visual approaches. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board emphasized crew resource management and automation-mode awareness across U.S. carriers, and Boeing reviewed cockpit annunciation and training guidance for the Boeing 777 fleet. Airports and regulators discussed approach lighting, runway safety areas, and emergency response coordination with agencies such as San Francisco International Airport operations, Federal Aviation Administration, and local emergency services. International aviation organizations including International Civil Aviation Organization and International Air Transport Association evaluated broader implications for pilot training standards and cross-cultural crew communication.

Legal and Regulatory Actions

Following the accident, multiple legal actions and regulatory reviews were initiated. Victims and families pursued civil litigation against Asiana Airlines and other parties; litigation addressed liability, compensation, and claims under international air carrier liability conventions such as the Warsaw Convention regime and discussions referencing the Montreal Convention. The Federal Aviation Administration conducted oversight activities regarding Asiana Airlines operations to the United States, while the Korea Office of Civil Aviation reviewed Asiana's training and safety management systems. The NTSB issued formal recommendations that influenced subsequent regulatory guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration, and airline industry groups such as International Air Transport Association engaged in disseminating safety best practices stemming from the investigation outcomes.

Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 2013 Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States