I saw a video on social media once, in which a plane attempting to land at one of the local airports in the Philippines was forced to abort its landing. While a passenger was filming the incident from the window, they said, “Bano ata ang pilotong ito, hindi kaya mag-landing.” To translate, the passenger said, “This pilot is incompetent, he cannot land the plane.” However, that is not always the case, as there are several reasons why pilots may have to abort a landing.
Landing an airplane is a complex task that requires precision and attention to detail. A pilot has to think about many things, such as the speed and direction of the wind, the length of the runway, and the weight of the plane. Despite the many hours of training and experience that pilots have, sometimes they must abort a landing and go around for another attempt. This decision is not taken lightly and can be due to a variety of reasons. In this article, we will discuss the most common reasons why pilots abort a landing and the procedures they follow to do so safely.
Safety
The number one reason for aborting a landing is safety. If a pilot feels that something is not right, they will take immediate action to ensure the safety of the aircraft and passengers. This could be due to factors such as poor visibility, unexpected weather changes, or other obstacles on the runway. In such cases, pilots will communicate with air traffic control and follow specific procedures to abort the landing.
Obstacle on the runway
Another common reason for aborting a landing is an obstacle on the runway. This could be anything from an animal to debris or even another aircraft. If a pilot sees an obstacle on the runway during final approach, they will immediately abort the landing and go around for another attempt. This is a standard procedure that all pilots are trained to follow.
Wind Shear
Wind shear is a sudden change in wind speed or direction, which can occur at any altitude but is most dangerous during takeoff and landing. It can cause an aircraft to lose lift or increase lift suddenly, making it difficult to control. In the event of wind shear, pilots will abort the landing and go around for another attempt. Air traffic control will also be notified, and other aircraft in the area will be alerted.
Incorrect Approach
Pilots must adhere to specific procedures when approaching a runway for landing. If they deviate from these procedures, they may need to abort the landing and start over. For example, if the pilot approaches the runway too high or too fast, they may need to go around and make another attempt at landing.
Equipment Malfunction
Sometimes, equipment malfunctions can cause a pilot to abort a landing. For example, if the landing gear does not deploy correctly or if there is an issue with the brakes, the pilot will abort the landing and notify air traffic control. This is done to ensure the safety of the aircraft and passengers.
At the end of the day, pilots must make split-second decisions when landing an aircraft. If they feel that the landing is not safe, they will abort the landing and go around for another attempt. This decision is not taken lightly and is always done with the safety of the aircraft and passengers in mind. Pilots are trained to deal with a wide range of situations and to follow certain steps to make sure the plane lands safely. If you ever find yourself on a plane where the pilot needs to abort a landing, do not panic nor even comment negatively about the pilot; it is a standard procedure that ensures your safety.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
