Unstable approach — AAL472

KDCA · 19

2026-08-03 00:53 UTC· KDFW KDCA· WILMINGTON TRUST CO TRUSTEE· B738

AAL472 (Wilmington Trust) was operating from KDFW to KDCA on 2026-08-03. SkyMeter detected a low approach-stability score at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) on runway 19 at 00:53 UTC. Trace data at the event: 1116 ft AGL, 147 kt GS. METAR at the time reported 12 kt wind, 5 kt crosswind component, 12,875 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)
  • HAZARDS6/6848 2026-07-20 00:32Z – 2026-08-03 23:45Z SFC–3,000 ft

    2NM W SHULERVILLE, SC, Monday, July 20, 2026 through Monday, August 3, 2026 UTC

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • VIP6/0568 2026-07-31 19:00Z – 2026-08-03 22:30Z SFC–4,999 ft

    Middleburg, VA, Friday, July 31, 2026 through Monday, August 3, 2026 Local

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • SECURITY6/0708 2026-08-01 00:01Z – 2027-08-01 23:59Z SFC–400 ft

    Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • UAS PUBLIC GATHERING6/8932 2026-08-02 12:00Z – 2026-08-03 05:00Z SFC–400 ft

    st louis, MO, Sunday, August 2, 2026 through Monday, August 3, 2026 UTC

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • VIP6/0992 2026-08-02 21:45Z – 2026-08-03 23:45Z SFC–4,999 ft

    Middleburg, VA, Sunday, August 2, 2026 through Monday, August 3, 2026 Local

    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 19
  • 1116 ft AGL at event
  • 147 kt ground speed
  • 0 fpm vertical
  • 12 kt wind
  • 5 kt crosswind component
  • 12,875 m visibility
  • KDCA 201252Z 19010KT 8SM FEW006 BKN034 OVC075 23/19 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP156 VCSH W-NE T02330189

Flight context

  • AAL472
  • Wilmington Trust
  • B738
  • KDFW → KDCA
  • 2026-08-03 00:53 UTC
  • KDCA runway 19

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· KDCA