Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 159; Flight Crew Total 15833; Flight Crew Type 4617
Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Automation Overrode Flight Crew; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
Performed a normal ILS approach to Runway 28R. Turned off the auto-pilot at approximately 1;500 feet. During flare; at approximately 3 feet; the auto ground spoilers deployed. Causing the aircraft to pitch up and the main wheels to touch down. The auto spoilers should not have deployed until the aircraft was on the ground. Suspect some sort of interference from 5G to the radio altimeter.
First Officer made normal hand flown ILS approach to Runway 28R at SFO. We broke out of the clouds at 500 [ft.] AGL and flare was normal. Right before we made ground contact and before I could react; the speedbrake lever motorized up and deployed the speed brakes which made us plop onto the runway from about 3 feet or so. It wasn't a hard landing; but it ruined what would've been a good landing for the First Officer. There were no EICAS (Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System) messages or any other system failures annunciated. With over 18;000 hours as Captain of Boeing airliners; of which 3;000 is in this type; I've NEVER had the auto speedbrakes deploy uncommanded before ground contact. I find it curious that this should occur on my first arrival at SFO after publication of the 5G NOTAM. After arriving at the gate we made log entries to document the event; and I also contacted the pilot office to advise them so appropriate investigation could begin. Hopefully the data recorded by the aircraft will allow determination of the cause. In the meantime I will closely monitor the speedbrake lever on all landings to prevent it happening again; especially at a greater distance above the pavement. While I operate in the 5G environment; I have no intention on being the first to make a 5G landing.
Air carrier flight crew reported the ground spoilers deployed 3 feet prior to landing. The aircraft pitched up and the landed firm. The pilots believe this was a result of a radio altimeter malfunction caused by 5G interference.