Part 4/8:
Further complicating matters, the training captain's inexperience with this unfamiliar aircraft and approach added pressure. As they operated under the ‘automation’ culture of Asiana Airlines—favoring mechanical assistance over manual handling—they faced the grim consequences of discomfort in executing traditional flying skills.
Automation Over-reliance and Miscommunication
As the aircraft descended towards a bustling airport, various errors compounded their trajectory. The pilots failed to adjust their descent calculations and manage speed adequately, delaying decision-making in a rapidly deteriorating situation. Communications played a pivotal role, with critical action prompts unvoiced by the crew as mismanagement of aircraft modes ensued.