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Severe weather at KATL 2017-06-29

A Delta 777 pilot warns ATC against further landings after nearly veering off the runway.

2017-07-04 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL)

Summary

During severe thunderstorms at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a Delta Boeing 777 struggles to maintain control during landing due to intense wind shear and heavy rain. After successfully staying on the pavement, the pilot issues a stern warning to the tower that the runway is currently unsafe. This report prompts the following aircraft to immediately execute a go-around for safety.

Analysis

This recording captures a high-tension moment at one of the world's busiest airports, KATL, during a period of rapidly deteriorating weather. The primary focus is Delta 2599, a Boeing 777 (referred to as a "triple seven" by the controller), which is landing on Runway 9 Right. The weather conditions include a 20-knot wind shear loss and gusts up to 35 knots, combined with heavy rain that significantly reduces visibility.

The most notable exchange occurs after Delta 2599 touches down. While the controller initially praises the landing, the pilot's response is sobering: they report that the aircraft was "barely manageable" and they "almost went off the runway." In aviation, a "runway excursion" (veering off the paved surface) is a major incident that can lead to structural failure or fire. For a wide-body aircraft like a 777 to admit such a close call highlights the severity of the microburst or wind shear they encountered.

The immediate aftermath demonstrates excellent Crew Resource Management (CRM) and pilot-controller cooperation. Delta 1867, the aircraft following the 777, hears the report and immediately requests a go-around rather than attempting the same approach. This is a textbook example of how Pilot Reports (PIREPs) are used to maintain safety in real-time.

Furthermore, the recording highlights the difficulty of ground operations during severe weather. Even after landing safely, Delta 2599 requests "progressive taxi," meaning they need the controller to give them step-by-step directions because the rain is so heavy they cannot see the taxiway signs or markings. This illustrates that the danger of severe weather doesn't end once the wheels are on the ground.

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Original ATC Communication

Plain English Translation

ATC
Delta 2599, Atlanta Tower. Wind 180 at 12, runway 9 right, cleared to land. Delta 1867, Atlanta Tower. Wind 180 at 13, runway 9 right, cleared to land. You're five and a half miles in trail of a triple seven. United 449, when able, state flight conditions within the five miles to the runway.
ATC
Delta 2599, this is Atlanta Tower. Winds are coming from the south at 12 knots; you’re cleared to land on the right-side runway 9. Delta 1867, Atlanta Tower, winds are from the south at 13 knots, you're also cleared to land on runway 9 right. You are about five and a half miles behind a large Boeing 777. United 449, when you have a moment, let me know what the weather conditions are like on your final five-mile stretch to the runway.
UNITED 449
We're dealing with heavy rain, and we almost lost visual contact with the runway, United 449.
UNITED 449
We’re dealing with some really heavy rain, and we almost lost sight of the runway for a second, United 449.
ATC
Roger. And how was the ride?
ATC
Understood. And how much turbulence did you hit on the way down?
UNITED 449
Bumpy.
UNITED 449
It was bumpy.
ATC
Attention all aircraft: bumpy ride and heavy rain reported inside the final approach fix all the way to the runway. Center field wind 180 at 25, gust 35. Attention all aircraft: runway 9 right at the departure—9 right departure—wind shear alert. 20-knot loss over the runway. Wind 190 at 28 knots to the departure end of 9 right. Delta 2599, nice job. Take the next left turn, then left on November, and when able, state flight conditions.
ATC
Attention all pilots: expect a rough ride and heavy rain from the final approach point all the way to the runway. Winds in the middle of the field are 25 knots, gusting to 35. Everyone take note: there’s a wind shear alert for departures on runway 9 right—expect a sudden 20-knot drop in airspeed over the runway. Winds are hitting 28 knots at the far end of the runway. Delta 2599, nice job getting down. Turn left at the next exit, then left onto taxiway November, and tell me how the flight was when you can.
DELTA 2599
All right, left on November. So next left turn, Delta 2599. Standby, we’ll talk to you here in a minute.
DELTA 2599
Okay, left on November. Taking the next left turn, Delta 2599. Just give us a second, we'll give you a report in a minute once we're settled.
ATC
No problem.
ATC
No problem at all.
DELTA 2599
And for 2599, I would recommend not landing on that runway. It was barely manageable; we almost went off the runway.
DELTA 2599
And for the tower, this is 2599. I would strongly recommend you don't let anyone else land on that runway. We could barely keep control; we almost slid right off the pavement.
ATC
Delta 1867, that was reported by the previous company triple seven just turning off the runway.
ATC
Delta 1867, you heard that? That was the report from the Boeing 777 from your own airline that just pulled off the runway.
DELTA 1867
All right, sir. We would like to go around. We'll try it again.
DELTA 1867
Understood, sir. We’re going to abort this landing and go around. We'll try it again later.
ATC
Delta 1867, climb and maintain 4,000. Fly heading 095—95 degrees.
ATC
Delta 1867, climb up and stay at 4,000 feet. Turn your nose to a compass heading of 095 degrees.
DELTA 1867
095 on the heading, Delta 1867.
DELTA 1867
Heading 095, Delta 1867.
ATC
Yes sir, 4,000 is the altitude.
ATC
That’s right, sir, 4,000 feet is your target altitude.
DELTA 1867
4,000 on the altitude, Delta 1867.
DELTA 1867
Leveling off at 4,000 feet, Delta 1867.
DELTA 2599
And for Delta 2599, we've got reduced visibility here. We're going to need progressive.
DELTA 2599
And tower, for Delta 2599, we can't see much out here through the rain. We're going to need you to give us step-by-step turn directions to get to the gate.
ATC
All right, Delta 2599. Just make the left turn there on taxiway November and just continue straight down November.
ATC
All right, Delta 2599. Just make a left turn there onto the taxiway path called November and keep heading straight down that route.
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