Alex O'Brien
Travel Tips

Crisis averted as British Airways jumbo aborts landing

A dramatic video shows the pilot of a British Airways A380 aborting a landing when the plane is just feet above the ground.

Footage captured at Vancouver International Airport in Canada shows just how close the flight from London Heathrow came to touching down, appearing to "float" along the runway before performing a go around.

An airline captain told the Mail Online the missed landing was likely due to pilot misjudgement.

"I would say that the pilot put in too much elevator input at 50ft meaning that the aircraft 'floated' along the runway rather than continuing down to touchdown," he said.

"Once beyond the end of the touchdown zone the pilots rightly elected to go around - a normal flight manoeuvre practiced every six months in the flight simulator and briefed before the approach commences.

"So, it looks cool but isn't dangerous by any means."

On the second attempt, the A380 made a safe landing.

How scary! We’re glad the pilots were able to make a successful landing on their second attempt. Have you ever had a close call in the air?

Let us know in the comments.

First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.

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Tags:
travel, flying, plane, Landing, British Airways