A Jet2 flight traveling from the United Kingdom to Lanzarote was witnessed performing a sudden maneuver when the pilot decided to abort the landing shortly after the aircraft touched the runway.
The incident unfolded as Jet2 flight LS11DF originating from Birmingham landed at Cesar Manrique-Lanzarote Airport in Spain. Video footage captured the plane abruptly ascending after nearly making contact with the ground.
The reason behind the pilot’s last-minute decision, referred to as a “TOGA” in aviation terms, was not immediately clear.
Approximately 15 minutes later at around 7:30 pm local time on Sunday, the plane successfully landed on its second attempt. Lanzarote Webcam shared the footage, describing the event as a “nice touch and go-around with almost tail touch” during the landing.
Social media reactions included one user expressing concern about a potential tail strike and another speculating about the aircraft’s speed and wind conditions. A third user suggested that a sudden change in crosswind direction could have prompted the pilot to execute the maneuver to avoid damage.
In a separate incident in March, a video showed a plane swerving due to strong winds just before landing on the same runway. The pilot of Binter flight NT556 executed a similar maneuver, known as a ‘TOGA,’ to prevent a potential disaster amid windy conditions reaching approximately 55mph on the island.
Details about the number of passengers on board the flight from Gran Canaria were not immediately available. The remarkable event was also captured by Lanzarote Webcam and shared on social media.
A spokesperson commended the pilot’s skills in resolving the situation without damage, emphasizing the importance of the crew’s expertise in handling such challenges. The Mirror reached out to Jet2 for additional comments on the incident.
