WN2786 - Incident: Southwest B38M at Lihue on Apr 11th 2024

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration N8788L performing flight WN-2786 from Honolulu,HI to Lihue,HI (USA), was on a non-precision approach to Lihue's runway 17 when the crew initiated a go around at about 1000 feet AGL due to weather conditions, however subsequently initiated a rapid descent which was stopped at 400 feet AGL. The aircraft climbed to 3000 feet, entered a hold and returned to Honolulu for a safe landing.

According to ADS-B Data the aircraft descended normally through about 950 feet MSL at 05:12:31 with a sink rate of about 800-1000 fpm, at 05:12:47 however the aircraft is seen climbing through 875 feet MSL at a high climb rate.

What happened in these 16 seconds is described in an internal memo circulating in Southwest Airlines stating, that during the go around due to weather conditions the first officer, pilot flying, inadvertently pushed the control column forward while monitoring the power settings causing the aircraft to descend to about 400 feet MSL before the aircraft started climbing again.

The airline stated that the occurrence has been handled by the SMS (Safety Management System). The FAA is investigating the occurrence.