B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors
Today I was the pilot flying to JFK. We briefed the approach prior to descent and discussed the gusty wind conditions and high cross wind (320/24G33) for landing runway 4R. The initial portion of the approach was uneventful and we were slowing and configuring appropriately. Approaching the FAF; Tower told us to slow to final approach speed as we were gaining on the aircraft in front of us. I asked the First Officer (FO) to set ref speed and called for flaps 25 which was the next flap selection (we had planned a flaps 30 landing). I took a quick look for the aircraft in front of us and asked the FO if she saw it. Shortly after that tower provided another wind call and I asked the FO if she heard the updated winds and ask her for the new crosswind component. I heard the 1000 foot call and called 'stable' and set the missed approach altitude without checking to see that the mechanical landing check list was complete. At 500 feet the FO made the standard call outs. Shortly thereafter the GPWS stated 'configuration flaps' I quickly looked at the flaps and saw 25. FO called for a 'go around' which we executed. Uneventful go around and landing followed. In hindsight; I was distracted by the gusty wind conditions and traffic call. While I understand what happened; those two events should not have precluded me from focusing on the task at hand which was to ensure the aircraft was in the proper landing configuration and all checklists complete. No excuses. The GPWS provided us the warning which allowed us to make a timely missed approach. Pay attention to detail especially during critical phases of flight. Don't let outside influences distract you from completing checklists.
B-737 captain reported executing a missed approach following a flap configuration warning.