Narrative:

I was the pilot flying during a ferry flight. After some vectoring at altitude we were given the arrival and proceeded to the left runway via radar vectors to the east and south. We encountered only light turbulence during the descent and were able to remain VMC for most of the arrival. At approximately XA00L we were about 7 miles out on a visual approach with ILS backup. A heavy boeing jet was landing about 6 miles in front of us. Although we were still VMC we noticed some showers starting to obscure the approach end of the runway. Additionally; we discerned a heavy band of showers approaching the field on our weather radar from the east and north. My captain asked tower if any windshear was occurring and we were told a report just came in of about a 25-knot windshear loss on final. Immediately we executed a go around from about 6800 ft MSL. We were instructed to fly runway heading and level off at 7000 ft. At this time we began to experience heavy rain showers and were given vectors to the east within about a minute or so of the go around. We turned to a heading of 095 and were out of the conditions in about 1 mile. At no time were we informed or were aware that hail was in the area. We were then instructed to the VOR for a hold on the 360 radial at 12000 ft. After about 20 minutes in holding; we were vectored north and west of the field and attempted another landing on the right runway. Again about 5 miles out in VMC conditions we were informed of tower indications of windshear of about 20 KTS and again executed a go-around remaining VMC the entire time. Finally; we were vectored to a third runway and while still in VMC were able to safely land and taxi in. Upon reaching the gate; we noticed a crew waiting to take the aircraft out. The first officer was already on the tarmac waiting to do the walk around. While we were briefing the oncoming captain of the many maintenance issues with this aircraft the first officer informed us of some damage to the under wing landing lights. Both captains and I went outside to inspect the damage. Both under wing lights were missing and damaged. No other damage on any surface seemed evident. We went back to the cockpit; wrote up the hail incident on ACARS; called maintenance on the radio and even had a maintenance individual who was at the aircraft for other write ups; look at the damage. With only this report to finalize we departed the gate and went on our way.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Both underwing landing lights of an A320 were knocked out during multiple approach attempts to an airport with weather and windshear in the vicinity but with no hail visible.

Narrative: I was the pilot flying during a ferry flight. After some vectoring at altitude we were given the arrival and proceeded to the left runway via radar vectors to the east and south. We encountered only light turbulence during the descent and were able to remain VMC for most of the arrival. At approximately XA00L we were about 7 miles out on a visual approach with ILS backup. A heavy Boeing jet was landing about 6 miles in front of us. Although we were still VMC we noticed some showers starting to obscure the approach end of the runway. Additionally; we discerned a heavy band of showers approaching the field on our weather radar from the east and north. My Captain asked tower if any windshear was occurring and we were told a report just came in of about a 25-knot windshear loss on final. Immediately we executed a go around from about 6800 FT MSL. We were instructed to fly runway heading and level off at 7000 FT. At this time we began to experience heavy rain showers and were given vectors to the east within about a minute or so of the go around. We turned to a heading of 095 and were out of the conditions in about 1 mile. At no time were we informed or were aware that hail was in the area. We were then instructed to the VOR for a hold on the 360 radial at 12000 FT. After about 20 minutes in holding; we were vectored north and west of the field and attempted another landing on the right runway. Again about 5 miles out in VMC conditions we were informed of tower indications of windshear of about 20 KTS and again executed a go-around remaining VMC the entire time. Finally; we were vectored to a third runway and while still in VMC were able to safely land and taxi in. Upon reaching the gate; we noticed a crew waiting to take the aircraft out. The First Officer was already on the tarmac waiting to do the walk around. While we were briefing the oncoming Captain of the many maintenance issues with this aircraft the First Officer informed us of some damage to the under wing landing lights. Both Captains and I went outside to inspect the damage. Both under wing lights were missing and damaged. No other damage on any surface seemed evident. We went back to the cockpit; wrote up the hail incident on ACARS; called Maintenance on the radio and even had a maintenance individual who was at the aircraft for other write ups; look at the damage. With only this report to finalize we departed the gate and went on our way.

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.