'Go Around' - VS9, Oct 14

Despite having flown hundreds of times, I had my very first rather unnerving experience of a 'go around' aboard VS9 (4pm, LHR-JFK) on Sat Oct 14. The plane was coming in for a normal landing and had clearly already crossed the start of the runway when it suddenly began climbing rapidly again. Although it was reassuring to know how easily it could do this, I'd be curious to know how rare these occurrences are and how much danger we were potentially in. Was anyone else aboard? The Captain claimed another plane had failed to clear the runway but is it possible he just screwed up the approach and had to try again?

Yours shakily, BM.[:$]

[preiffer]

They happen every now and then. Could be another aircraft accidentally crossing the runway, an aircraft not vacating on time, potential traffic, wildlife, issues with the aircraft, just "trying again" - all manner of things.

It's a "standard procedure", that pilots are regularly assessed on. As such, I'd say you were in minimal to no danger.



By the way - welcome to the forum [y]

I remember this topic was discussed a while ago, so after a little searching....[|:)]

Link here[:X]

PS. If anyone can shorten the link....[y]




{preiffer : done - click "edit reply" above to see how I did it

{preiffer : done - click "edit reply" above to see how I did it

Thank you [^][oo]

Originally posted by mad_brad_uk
I'd be curious to know how rare these occurrences are and how much danger we were potentially in.

Go-arounds are frequent occurences that occur on a daily basis. Most people do not experience them purely because of the amount of air traffic that exists each day. The chances are small that you will ever get to enjoy the experience again

Two additional notes. Pilots are trained and constantly tested on this procedure. Also, there is a good chance that the aircraft handled the procedure automatically with little input from the pilots.

Happened to me also on the VS401 from Dubai on the 1st October. We were on finals to Heathrow when the aircraft in front failed to clear the runway in time so we had to go around. It was an experience!!

I've only ever had one G/A with VS; last year LGW 747.