Unstable approach — VOZ542

YSSY · 16L

2026-07-23 10:03 UTC· YBCG YSSY· VIRGIN AUSTRALIA AIRLINES PTY LTD· B738

VOZ542 (Virgin Australia Airlines Pty) was operating from YBCG to YSSY on 2026-07-23. SkyMeter detected a low approach-stability score at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (YSSY) on runway 16L at 10:03 UTC. Trace data at the event: 948 ft AGL, 121 kt GS. Approach stability score: 44/100. Scores below 50 occur on under 10% of approaches at this runway and indicate the v2 scorer flagged the approach as highly anomalous (three or more gates exceeded the runway's P90 envelope simultaneously). METAR at the time reported 17 kt wind, 16 kt crosswind component, 9,994 m visibility. The approach-stability score rates the final approach against stabilized-approach gates (glideslope, lateral deviation, descent rate, and IAS) at defined altitudes. A low score means one or more of those were outside the normal envelope for how the approach was flown. The score is graded by guidance type, so instrument approaches (ILS or an aligned straight-in) are held to the full gate set, while visual and pattern arrivals are surfaced only when the score is clearly low. The score is advisory and observational, a deviation measure, not an assertion of an accident. Detection algorithm and known limitations: see SkyMeter methodology.

Pilot review data

  • Runway 16L
  • 948 ft AGL at event
  • 121 kt ground speed
  • 0 fpm vertical
  • Approach stability 44/100
  • 17 kt wind
  • 16 kt crosswind component
  • 9,994 m visibility
  • YSSY 162030Z 29010KT 9999 FEW025 BKN050 10/02 Q1030

Flight context

  • VOZ542
  • Virgin Australia Airlines Pty
  • B738
  • YBCG → YSSY
  • 2026-07-23 10:03 UTC
  • YSSY runway 16L

All events on this flight

Unstable approach 10:03:33 UTC · YSSY runway 16L · 948 ft AGL · 121 kt GS
Long landing rollout 10:08:23 UTC · YSSY runway 16L · 3 ft AGL · 5 kt GS

Automated analysis. Events shown on this page (such as go-around, unstable approach, or runway events) are heuristic classifications produced by algorithms from publicly broadcast ADS-B data. They are intended to surface flights of interest for further review — they are not findings of fact, and they do not determine pilot fault, regulatory compliance, or the cause of any occurrence. Coverage gaps and sensor noise can affect accuracy. Only the relevant civil aviation authority or accident investigation body can make official determinations. How we detect events · Dispute or correct this data

SkyMeter · trace data observed via ADS-B· YSSY