Narrative:

This was my third approach to jfk this month with post cold front northwest winds approaching the crosswind limits of the airplane due to using 22L and 22R versus 31L and 31R. When the tower was queried to why this was we were told this was what the airlines were insisting on for a more expeditious flow of traffic. Last night we held twice during our arrival phase and when finally cleared for the approach we were getting down to a fuel level that was reasonable for the weather conditions but did not lend itself to any more significant delays. After receiving our landing clearance we were given a wind report of 290 at 25 gusting to 46 forcing us to go around and make a request for an approach to 31R without delay due to our fuel status. ATC granted our request without delay and a normal approach and landing was made to 31R. Although the crosswind component might just be within limits particularly on a contaminated runway; choosing a runway configuration based on traffic flow and pushing the crosswind limits of the airplane when there are runways available that are into the wind is not in the spirit of what these limits were designed for and the maximum crosswind limits should be used when there is no other option and not a standard operating practice.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Air Carrier Captain reported crosswinds at or exceeding his aircraft's limitations forced him to go around on a JFK Runway 22 approach. The reporter requested and was given an approach to Runway 31 with a low fuel state but into favorable winds.

Narrative: This was my third approach to JFK this month with post cold front northwest winds approaching the crosswind limits of the airplane due to using 22L and 22R versus 31L and 31R. When the Tower was queried to why this was we were told this was what the airlines were insisting on for a more expeditious flow of traffic. Last night we held twice during our arrival phase and when finally cleared for the approach we were getting down to a fuel level that was reasonable for the weather conditions but did not lend itself to any more significant delays. After receiving our landing clearance we were given a wind report of 290 at 25 gusting to 46 forcing us to go around and make a request for an approach to 31R without delay due to our fuel status. ATC granted our request without delay and a normal approach and landing was made to 31R. Although the crosswind component might just be within limits particularly on a contaminated runway; choosing a runway configuration based on traffic flow and pushing the crosswind limits of the airplane when there are runways available that are into the wind is not in the spirit of what these limits were designed for and the maximum crosswind limits should be used when there is no other option and not a standard operating practice.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.