I suggested to the First Officer that Rwy 21 would probably be a better option what with it being a tailwind at 03.
We activated the secondary flight plan and avoided the weather ahead.
As we descended past 10,000ft, we were visual with the coastline and there was the huge greying clouds with rain hovering over the airport.
It didn't look like the 9km on the ATIS. It looked far less than that. We asked for the latest update and they reported a declining visibility of 4000m.
Another update as we descended furter and the wind was now 260/17kts. Thats just over 30km/hr of fast moving air.
This thing is going down.
Best course of action was to slow down and hold over clear skies.
I requested ATC for a hold over the centreline of RWY21 on a 9nm fix.
Approved!
Over the hold at 4000ft, we could see the weather moving right to left over the runway, west to east.
It was mirrored over the weather screens in front of us. Red is always bad on the screens, purple a definite danger and purple pixels were forming pronouncedly on our weather radar screens.
Fuel check:
We had approximately 3.2 tonnes at the moment. The minimum fuel to have before we are down to final reserve was 2.4 but i usually give an extra 200kgs for extra fat and any delays.
KK was our alternate. Approx 100nautical miles away. Weather was clear so thats one less thing to worry about.
Latest weather update is now 800m of heavy rain. Winds up to 50km/hr.
Right, we're not going anywhere from now.
I had earlier taken over control from the FO as the weather had gone below his minima. He was managing himself well. Myself, anxious but over the years i had managed to learn to slow down my breathing which in turn would slow down my heart rate and make better decisions.
Always sit on your hands first. Don't make any rash decisions.
Another aircraft was holding 2000ft above us. It was a Malaysian. Another company aircraft from KL had arrived on the scene too. They were holding over the sea too.
Time is ticking and the fuel is burning. Decision time soon.
We asked for another update. Still 800metres of rain. Our company minima is 2000m. Rightly so. We don't want to end up like the recent A320 that skidded off the runway just 6 days ago.
A discussion with my firsts officer on diversion and fuel and we had decided to divert if weather didnt significantly improved in 3 minutes.
Suddenly, an update. 3000metres said the controller and the wind had subsided to a headwind of 11kts.
We grabbed the window of opportunity and request for an approach.
Flaps 1, 2, gear down, 3 and finally full flaps and we are on final approach at 1500ft.
We could see the runway now amidst the rain. Fuel indicated 2.6 tonnes. A brief on a go-around should we have to and the landing checklist completed.
Wipers on FULL then down to MED . Runway right in front of us albeit wet.
Rubber met tarmac minutes later and we vacated at E3. Alhamdulillah!
Taxied to stand 6. Engines shut and Parking checklist completed.
Looked at my FO and said thank you well done however we still have to do another KK sector.
Switched on my phone. Message from my wife: Pls call me.
And my mother in-law too: Pls call mama.
Called her no answer. Called mama.
"Hello ....."
A minute later i made a call to Fleet requesting to be taken off the KK flight.
Life on the line continues.
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