Return to field — N638TC

KMHV · 12

2026-08-31 21:04 UTC· KMHV KMHV· NATIONAL TEST PILOT SCHOOL· T38

N638TC (National Test Pilot School) had departed KMHV on 2026-08-31. SkyMeter detected a return to field at Mojave Airport (KMHV) on runway 12 at 21:04 UTC. Peak cruise altitude FL267, turnaround area near Weldon, US. Approach stability score: 31/100. 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 0 kt wind, 16,093 m visibility. Detection algorithm and known limitations: see SkyMeter methodology.

Pilot review data

  • Runway 12
  • 26763 ft AGL at event
  • 563 kt ground speed
  • 0 fpm vertical
  • Approach stability 31/100
  • 0 kt wind
  • 0 kt crosswind component
  • 16,093 m visibility
  • METAR KMHV 160335Z AUTO 25010KT 10SM CLR 23/05 A2992 RMK AO2 T02280051 $

Flight context

  • N638TC
  • National Test Pilot School
  • T38
  • KMHV → KMHV
  • 2026-08-31 21:04 UTC
  • KMHV runway 12

All events on this flight

Return to field 21:04:08 UTC · KMHV runway 12 · 26,763 ft AGL · 563 kt GS
EmergencyDescent 22:26:12 UTC · · 25,035 ft AGL · 417 kt GS
Unstable approach 22:31:05 UTC · KMHV runway 12 · 3,865 ft AGL · 175 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· KMHV