What's a Go-Around in Aviation, and Why Does It Happen

The joy of landing—a whole mix of feelings, right? Maybe you're stoked about exploring a new place or just relieved to finally be home. But did you know that sometimes planes need a "do-over" before they can actually touch down? Yep, that's called a "go-around," and it's more common than you might think. So, let's dive in: What is it, and why does it happen?

So, What Is a Go-Around?

In simple terms, a go-around is when a pilot decides to cancel a landing at the last minute and circle back for another try. This decision could happen anytime while the plane is on its final approach, right up to the moment when the wheels are just about to hit the runway—but before any braking systems kick in. If this decision comes in too late, there's a chance of something called a "tail strike," like what happened once with a Nippon Cargo 747-8F.

After pulling up, the pilots have a to-do list to ensure everything is set for the next approach. Most of the time, the plane will climb back up and loop around for another landing attempt, but sometimes it might have to divert elsewhere.

Why Do Go-Arounds Happen?

Lots of reasons, actually! The main thing is that if something's off and a safe landing looks sketchy, a go-around is the safest bet. Here are some usual suspects:

Runway Traffic Jam: Maybe there's a vehicle, another plane, or even wildlife chilling on the runway. In that case, it's a no-go for landing.

Weather Woes: Bad weather can make landing tricky. Think poor visibility or gusty winds that make it tough for the plane to line up with the runway.

Alignment Issues: If the plane's not lining up right with the runway, it's better to go around and try again rather than risk it.

Too Much Company: Sometimes air traffic control spots another plane taking off or landing at the same time and tells the incoming flight to circle back.

Technical Glitches: If there's a hiccup like landing gear not coming down, that's an obvious red flag.

Go-arounds are often just a precaution, but sometimes they're a last-minute move to dodge a disaster. Like in October 2022, when two easyJet and Air France flights nearly collided at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The Air France plane had to climb back up from just 300 feet off the ground to avoid a crash, while the easyJet plane called off its takeoff.

There have been quite a few near-misses recently, adding to the concern. For example, at San Francisco International Airport, not one, but two planes had to go around after a Southwest Airlines plane was seen crossing runways that were supposed to be clear for landing. And let's not forget when an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX had to abort its landing at Charleston Airport because a JetBlue Airbus A220 was in the way.

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