Unstable approach — SWA4286

4B9 · 03

2026-08-18 02:39 UTC· SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO· B38M

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SWA4286 (Southwest Airlines) was inbound to 4B9 on 2026-08-18. SkyMeter detected a low approach-stability score at Simsbury Airport (4B9) on runway 03 at 02:39 UTC. Trace data at the event: 1266 ft AGL, 162 kt GS. Approach stability score: 41/100. 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 1 kt wind, 1 kt crosswind component. 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)
  • SECURITY5/2811 2025-10-20 12:00Z – 2026-10-20 12:00Z SFC–1,000 ft

    NEW YORK, NY, Monday, October 20, 2025 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Local

    View FAA NOTAM →
  • UAS PUBLIC GATHERING6/2574 2026-08-13 12:00Z – 2026-08-24 05:00Z SFC–400 ft

    des moines, IA, Thursday, August 13, 2026 through Monday, August 24, 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 03
  • 1266 ft AGL at event
  • 162 kt ground speed
  • 0 fpm vertical
  • Approach stability 41/100
  • 1 kt wind
  • 1 kt crosswind component

Flight context

  • SWA4286
  • Southwest Airlines
  • B38M
  • 2026-08-18 02:39 UTC
  • 4B9 runway 03

All events on this flight

Unstable approach 02:39:46 UTC · 4B9 runway 03 · 1,266 ft AGL · 162 kt GS
Unstable approach 02:39:46 UTC · 4B9 runway 03 · 1,266 ft AGL · 162 kt GS
Unstable approach 02:39:46 UTC · 4B9 runway 03 · 1,266 ft AGL · 162 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· 4B9