Unstable approach — N289MB

KPAE · 16L

2026-08-08 00:56 UTC· KAWO KPAE· MARK BARBER· ACAM

N289MB (Mark Barber) was operating from KAWO to KPAE on 2026-08-08. SkyMeter detected a low approach-stability score at Snohomish County (Paine Field) Airport (KPAE) on runway 16L at 00:56 UTC. Trace data at the event: 1189 ft AGL, 65 kt GS. Approach stability score: 29/100. 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 3 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.

Pilot review data

  • Runway 16L
  • 1189 ft AGL at event
  • 65 kt ground speed
  • 0 fpm vertical
  • Approach stability 29/100
  • 3 kt wind
  • 2 kt crosswind component
  • 16,093 m visibility
  • KPAE 160953Z AUTO 02003KT 10SM CLR 12/11 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP201 T01220106

Flight context

  • N289MB
  • Mark Barber
  • ACAM
  • KAWO → KPAE
  • 2026-08-08 00:56 UTC
  • KPAE runway 16L

All events on this flight

Unstable approach 00:56:34 UTC · KPAE runway 16L · 1,189 ft AGL · 65 kt GS
Unstable approach 00:56:34 UTC · KPAE runway 16L · 1,189 ft AGL · 65 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· KPAE