The ungrooved runway sent the A320 hydroplaning - did they stop in time?

An A320 fights to stop on a short, ungrooved São Paulo runway in a downpour as the city looms; did they make it in time?

The ungrooved runway sent the A320 hydroplaning - did they stop in time?

In this episode, listeners follow the minutes and decisions leading up to an Airbus A320 touchdown on a wet Congonhas runway with one thrust reverser deactivated and the city immediately beyond. The episode traces the airport's resurfacing choices, crew experience, and prior warnings - and asks whether enough was done to prevent catastrophe.

Date: July 17, 2007 Location: Congonhas Airport, São Paulo Aircraft: Airbus A320-233, registration PR-MBK Crew: Captains Henrique Stefanini Di Sacco and Kleyber Aguiar Lima Runway status: Resurfaced June 29, grooves not cut; wet conditions reported the day before

- Runway 35L measured 1,940 meters with no runway-end safety area and a four-story warehouse and gas station beyond the far end. - Resurfacing finished June 29 but the standard transverse grooves to channel water were not cut; Infraero said 30 more days were needed. - Pilots had reported poor braking on July 16; one TAM stopped meters from the end and a Pantanal ATR hydroplaned and was written off. - The A320 had one thrust reverser deactivated per a maintenance note but was released for flight and departed Porto Alegre at 17:17 BRT. - The approach began at 18:48 BRT into wet conditions with 26 seconds between threshold crossing and the point the pilots would need to stop.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].