Unstable approach — SWA1518
KDAL · 362026-07-21 18:04 UTC· KDEN → KDAL· SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO· B738
SWA1518 (Southwest Airlines) was operating from KDEN to KDAL on 2026-07-21. SkyMeter detected a low approach-stability score at Dallas Love Field (KDAL) on runway 36 at 18:04 UTC. Trace data at the event: 1572 ft AGL, 165 kt GS. Approach stability score: 43/100. 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 4 kt wind, 2 kt crosswind component, 16,093 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.
Active FAA TFR during this flight
Source: FAA TFR archive (hourly snapshot)- HAZARDS6/3801 2026-07-08 01:49Z – 2026-07-23 04:00Z SFC–15,000 ft
1NM W PUEBLO, CO, Wednesday, July 8, 2026 through Thursday, July 23, 2026 UTC
View FAA NOTAM → - HAZARDS6/6360 2026-07-17 04:00Z – 2026-07-30 04:00Z SFC–15,000 ft
9NM SW PUEBLO, CO, Friday, July 17, 2026 through Thursday, July 30, 2026 UTC
View FAA NOTAM →
SkyMeter cross-referenced this flight against FAA-published TFRs that were active during its window and within its geographic bounding box. Overlap doesn't necessarily mean violation — the aircraft may have been outside the TFR’s precise polygon or flying under air-traffic-control coordination.
Pilot review data
- Runway 36
- 1572 ft AGL at event
- 165 kt ground speed
- 0 fpm vertical
- Approach stability 43/100
- 4 kt wind
- 2 kt crosswind component
- 16,093 m visibility
- KDAL 162153Z 16009KT 10SM SCT070 SCT250 37/18 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP185 T03720183
Flight context
- SWA1518
- Southwest Airlines
- B738
- KDEN → KDAL
- 2026-07-21 18:04 UTC
- KDAL runway 36
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