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View Full Version : Lufthansa 737 Landing on Heathrow 23


Dont Hang Up
9th Jan 2009, 12:12
A knowledgeable passenger was on LH 4788 (737-500)into Heathrow last night (around 18:40) and was most suprised by an apparently visual approach from the Lambourne hold for a runway 23 landing (currently out of use to our understanding).

No strong winds and later observed that traffic was coming in on 09.

Anyone got any idea what occurred?

Groundloop
9th Jan 2009, 12:19
runway 23 landing (currently out of use to our understanding).

Not "currently out of use" but non-existent any more. All runway markings removed and no longer certified for use.

Probably just a variation from Lambourne to the 09s and "knowledgeable" passenger got confused.

Dont Hang Up
9th Jan 2009, 12:55
Not "currently out of use" but non-existent any more. All runway markings removed and no longer certified for use.



All the more surprising.

The timing and visual cues were apparently pretty convincing. Wembley stadium passing to the left when established on final.

HEATHROW DIRECTOR
9th Jan 2009, 13:14
Don't hang up - Plainly the person was confused. Full stop.

dubh12000
9th Jan 2009, 15:46
I think I just heard Rainboe's head blow up.

Skipness One Echo
9th Jan 2009, 15:49
Would have taken out the new remote stands at Terminal One so NO chance of that. The runway has been physically altered and no longer even looks like it ever was a landing strip. That's progress....

NWSRG
9th Jan 2009, 20:37
Wembley on the left...or may it have been Twickenham?

Avman
10th Jan 2009, 10:26
I think this may help to convince DHU and his/her friend:

Photos: Airbus A319-131 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/BMI-British-Midland/Airbus-A319-131/1425002/M/)

wiggy
10th Jan 2009, 15:49
Well you can have Wembley off the left immediately after coming off Lambourne or Twickers on the left when established on final...what you can't have nowadays is a landing on 23 'cos it's not there, as others have said.

The clue to the stadiums is that Wembley has got a s**dding enormous arch over the top whereas Twickers is just a plain unadorned stadium, just ask any well clued up stadium spotter :ok:

trident3A
16th Jan 2009, 10:44
You can see exactly where LH4788 went here (zoom out and start the replay at 18:17 on Jan 9th) to see him arriving over North London-

Heathrow WebTrak (http://lhr.webtrak-lochard.com/template/index.html)

Groundloop
16th Jan 2009, 13:19
Actually, it was January 8th and landed on 27L so the stadium was Twickers.

If you watch three further aircraft landed on 27L after 4788 then operations switched to the 09s.

trident3A
16th Jan 2009, 13:38
Then the mystery is solved :ok:

Curious Pax
16th Jan 2009, 15:05
If they changed runway direction soon after then perhaps they were landing with a significant crosswind at the time, and so a 'crabbing' approach may have confused the perception of the direction in which the aircraft was heading?

Doors to Automatic
16th Jan 2009, 17:31
It would have to be a hell of a crosswind for the approach to end up over Southall! :cool:

Will Hung
19th Jan 2009, 13:15
Quality DtA, quality !!:D

llondel
19th Jan 2009, 20:26
I got confused on Saturday, nice clear approach, flew past Wimbledon, got the SE confused with the SW (sun position) and was wondering why we were approaching Heathrow at right angles. Good job I was only sitting in the back. Looking at Google Maps and reviewing the landmarks, it all makes sense now.

Seloco
22nd Jan 2009, 14:40
Obviously time to paint TWICKENHAM on it in large letters just to avoid any further confusion:ugh:

HEATHROW DIRECTOR
22nd Jan 2009, 16:21
<< it all makes sense now.>>

Trust the crew up the front and those on the ground directing them. They really know what they're doing..