Lufthansa 737 Landing on Heathrow 23
 

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?

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.

All the more surprising.

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

Don't hang up - Plainly the person was confused. Full stop.

I think I just heard Rainboe's head blow up.

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....

Wembley on the left...or may it have been Twickenham?

I think this may help to convince DHU and his/her friend:

Photos: Airbus A319-131 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Don't Hang Up
 

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:

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

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.

Then the mystery is solved :ok:

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?

It would have to be a hell of a crosswind for the approach to end up over Southall! :cool:

Quality DtA, quality !!:D

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.

Obviously time to paint TWICKENHAM on it in large letters just to avoid any further confusion:ugh:

<< 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..