Narrative:

Flight uneventful until cleared for visual approach to 28R from a 'down the bay' right base. I was high energy intentionally; to save fuel; but clearly misjudged by how much. Planned and briefed flaps 25 landing; vref 147; target speed 152. On base turn to final; realized I was still definitely over-energied; and dropped gear early to correct. Norcal told us to maintain 180 or greater to bridge; contact tower. I was flaps 20 by this time. Tower cleared us to land 28R. Final decent checklist complete well within parameters; and selected flaps 25 as soon as gear was down. Wings level on final; flaps 25 checklist complete and still about +25. Told crew I was aware of it; and would land long; but within landing area to make my stabilized approach criteria; still thinking (wrongly) that it could safely be done within SOP. At 1;000 ft; first officer properly stated '1;000 ft; airspeed' and that it was +20. I replied 'cleared to land 28R'. My scan had missed the fact that I was that still that fast and the SOP call helped. Then positively noting my speed at 170 KTS (must have subsequently increased); made a poor; but analyzed decision to change to flaps 30 to help achieve stable limits (more drag to slow down). I stated that; then called for flaps 30; and stated new target to be set (first officer complied). Glideslope captured and I thought it was going to be just fine and SOP; but at the 500 ft call; I looked down and began to say 'flaps 30' but noticed they were still at 25 (handle was 30) and made comment accordingly. The first officer response made sense. Something of the nature 'airspeed too hi for flaps 30'. At this point I know now that I should have clearly gone around; but opted not to; and made some comment similar to 'I feel it is safe and intend to land'. A landing was made well within the touchdown zone; smoothly; and finally within airspeed target limits. But; I absolutely broke SOP; and that is completely unsatisfactory. I should have given myself more margin on my energy control. I should not have opted to change landing flap setting at such a low altitude. I should have noticed flaps did not go to 30 when selected. I absolutely should have gone around at 500 per SOP without question! I have always been proud to be a clear 'SOP kind of pilot'; and I have punished myself for this lapse. I learned an extremely valuable lesson! I will endeavor to never again put myself/crew/passengers/company in this position again. If all else fails; SOP; SOP; SOP.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B747-400 Captain reported a SFO 28R landing after an unstabilized visual approach from a right downwind over the bay.

Narrative: Flight uneventful until cleared for visual approach to 28R from a 'down the bay' right base. I was high energy intentionally; to save fuel; but clearly misjudged by how much. Planned and briefed flaps 25 landing; Vref 147; target speed 152. On base turn to final; realized I was still definitely over-energied; and dropped gear early to correct. Norcal told us to maintain 180 or greater to bridge; contact Tower. I was flaps 20 by this time. Tower cleared us to land 28R. Final decent checklist complete well within parameters; and selected flaps 25 as soon as gear was down. Wings level on final; flaps 25 checklist complete and still about +25. Told crew I was aware of it; and would land long; but within landing area to make my stabilized approach criteria; still thinking (wrongly) that it could safely be done within SOP. At 1;000 FT; First Officer properly stated '1;000 FT; Airspeed' and that it was +20. I replied 'cleared to land 28R'. My scan had missed the fact that I was that still that fast and the SOP call helped. Then positively noting my speed at 170 KTS (must have subsequently increased); made a poor; but analyzed decision to change to flaps 30 to help achieve stable limits (more drag to slow down). I stated that; then called for flaps 30; and stated new target to be set (First Officer complied). Glideslope captured and I thought it was going to be just fine and SOP; but at the 500 FT call; I looked down and began to say 'Flaps 30' but noticed they were still at 25 (handle was 30) and made comment accordingly. The First Officer response made sense. Something of the nature 'airspeed too hi for flaps 30'. At this point I know now that I should have clearly gone around; but opted not to; and made some comment similar to 'I feel it is safe and intend to land'. A landing was made well within the touchdown zone; smoothly; and finally within airspeed target limits. BUT; I absolutely broke SOP; and that is completely unsatisfactory. I should have given myself more margin on my energy control. I should not have opted to change landing flap setting at such a low altitude. I should have noticed flaps did not go to 30 when selected. I ABSOLUTELY should have gone around at 500 per SOP WITHOUT QUESTION! I have always been proud to be a clear 'SOP Kind of Pilot'; and I have punished myself for this lapse. I LEARNED AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE LESSON! I will endeavor to never again put myself/crew/passengers/company in this position again. If all else fails; SOP; SOP; SOP.

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.