LH918 go-around at LHR due to Scandinavian on runway
 

Don't know if this is of interest to anyone, was traveling on LH918 from FRA to LHR this evening (PAX). As we were about to touch down at LHR the PIC performed a very nice go-around. When he leveled out above London, he explained that a Scandinavian had not made it off the runway in time and we thus avoided collision.
2nd landing attempt went well. Pilot performer really well IMHO - as I would expect from LH. Crew was well composed, too.:ok:

I wonder if this happens frequently at LHR due to the airport working beyond capacity?

Happens on quite a regular basis at LHR due to the tight spacing on finals, sometimes initiated by ATC and sometimes by the crew, no big drama.

I am sure one of the tower guys can tell us how many they get but I doubt many days go by without at least one go around for this reason.

Recall my first arrival to LHR viewed from up front. We were on the heels of a 74' teetering 2-3 knots above minimum speed with ATC gently reminding us to slow down twice during final. The a/c ahead was close enough to see the puffs of smoke from the wheels at touch-down, rapidly followed by two fire trucks crossing the runway right ahead as the piano keys filled the view with still no landing clearance. We must have been around 50' when the 74' ahead finally turned off and were cleared to land.

On a visit to LATCC some years ago I was told there was an average of 1 a day.

I recall an alarm going off while I was there, and was told it was the "Go Around Alarm".

About one a day at least, more in high winds.

LHR functions some way under theoretical capacity, believe it or not there's slack in the operation fpr contingency as well as limited flying before 6am and after 1030pm.

Nearly two a day, on average, in recent years.

A very well respected fleet Captain on a well known (but no longer with us) British airline once said at a GATCO/BALPA forum "in a capacity strapped situation such as LHR, if you don't get the odd go-around you're not trying hard enough." He was addressing the controllers who fully accepted his comments and I expect agreed with them.

I was enjoying my McDonalds on the other side of the airport and saw your go-around. As it happens an Alitalia went around about 10 minutes before you as well.

If you was on D-AIRR, then another a/c went round about 30 mins after you landed as well

I have "enjoyed" being a passenger during two go-arounds at Nimes France. The instances where a couple of years apart and both in good daylight visibility. On both occasions our pilot explained that an aircraft performing circuit training had not cleared the runway in good time. Nice to feel the hefty shove in the back when our engines opened up from about 100ft.

Although not my first, I had a G/A with Eurowings a few months ago at Brum. Cabin crew chief immediately made a PA announcing what was happening and, after the cockpit crew had completed their tasks, the Captain came on and informed the pax what and why. All very professionally executed in terms of communicating with the SLF.

I was riding jumpseat on a 737 into LHR at night twenty years or so ago when the aircraft in front was slow vacating. FO was flying and got to decision height whereupon the captain told him to continue for a moment whilst all eyes were on the lights in front. We finally decided to land at about 50 feet. Although perfectly routine it was quite exciting to experience first hand.

Years ago I landed in a Malev TU134 on 27L at EGLL. The pilot braked extremely hard shortly after touchdown & we were all tipped forward in our seats. My wife is a nervous flyer so, to put her mind at rest, I suggested that he was demonstrating to a friend & colleague (who I believed to be in the cockpit for the landing) the shortfield landing capability of the a/c. Then, I looked out of the starboard window further down the runway, just before we left it, & saw a DLH A300 still firmly in the middle of the runway (but well ahead of us) after his landing roll. Not one that complied with the stipulations for a "land after" !

Long time ago, landing at Phoenix we had to go around. I think it was Hughes air West, i remember the aeroplane was painted yellow. After the go around commenced the Pilot came on the intercom and said, "Sorry about that folks, Air Traffic control got us too close to the guy in front, but don't you worry none we are going to go right around and give those folks another chance!"
A nice laid back announcement that put the passengers at ease and sure enough a nice smooth landing at the next attempt.

Errrrrr.........