Veteran pilots say planes are vulnerable at landing because of low airspeed, exposure to sudden winds and closeness to the ground. Modern technology, like devices that warn about dangerous wind bursts, only slightly improves a narrow margin of error. A pilot's skill and judgment are key. The plane landed in a gusty hail storm. Heavy rain and clouds reduce runway visibility, and water on a landing strip reduces braking.
Pools can also cause an airplane to skid.
Local airport authorities decide whether to close a field because of bad weather. Air traffic controllers pass on weather alerts and clear a pilot to land. The pilot decides whether to proceed with an approach. Investigators will want to know about the airport's decision, what advisories the controllers gave and whether the pilots discussed making a new approach or diverting to another airport because of the bad weather. American Airlines added systems that warn pilots of wind shear, a wind burst that can push a plane into the ground or cause a pilot to overcompensate.