An Air India Boeing 777-300 was on final approach to JFK’s runway 04R descending through about 300 feet AGL in reduced visibility (RVR reported at 3500 feet) when the crew initiated a go-around reporting an unstable approach. The aircraft climbed to 2000 feet, back on approach frequency the crew advised they had lost multiple instruments on final approach including localizer, radio altimeters, two altimeters (with only one altimeter remaining), TCAS etc.
They requested a longer final while being vectored for another ILS approach to runway 04R. After working the checklists the crew advised they could not perform an ILS approach and inquired for weather information of airports around the New York area permitting a non-precision approach, due to the ceiling at New York they weren’t able to approach to JFK, ATC inquired whether they had autoland available which the crew stated they had lost auto-land too due to the multiple system failure, however, they had one radio altimeter and one basic altimeter still available to them. They needed an airport with a cloud ceiling of 600+ feet permitting a non-precision approach, their primary planned alternate had been Newark, NJ and their secondary alternate Stewart, NY. ATC reported the next airport available with 600+ feet ceiling was Albany, NY, the crew asked to also check Boston, MA advising they were getting low on fuel and needed to decide quickly. ATC suggested Bradley, CT would be the best option with 500 feet overcast with a forecast slight improvement. The crew queried the current ceiling at JFK considering a quick LNAV/VNAV approach into JFK might be an option.
ATC advised Newark had just released a new METAR indicating 400 feet overcast ceiling, better than before, so the crew decided to divert to Newark. The aircraft climbed to 5000 feet and diverted to Newark, the crew advised they would need to perform an LNAV/VNAV approach to Newark’s runway, again stating they were unable to fly an ILS due to the instrument failures. ATC advised they would get cleared for an ILS approach runway 04R at Newark, however, the crew would then fly the VNAV procedure. The crew agreed and reported they had 7200 kg of fuel remaining at that point when JFK approach inquired again whether at least one LOC receiver was available, the crew stated both localizer receivers were failed and unpredictable, they needed to do an LNAV/VNAV approach. On the handoff to Newark Tower tower advised emergency equipment was standing by for the arrival. On final approach, the tower advised they were getting low on the approach and advised altimeter was 30.12. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Newark’s runway 04R about 90 seconds after the low altitude alert and about 38 minutes after the go-around at JFK. The crew advised no further assistance was needed.
