A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 experienced a white-knuckle moment for passengers and crew alike when pilots were forced to abort their landing at Sydney Airport during treacherous weather conditions on Thursday.
The flight VA148, carrying travellers from the picturesque adventure capital of Queenstown, New Zealand, became the centre of an aviation safety investigation after executing what's known in aviation circles as a 'go-around' procedure.
The Heart-Stopping Moment
As the aircraft descended through storm-laden skies towards Sydney's runway, air traffic controllers issued urgent instructions to the flight crew to abandon their landing approach. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft remarkably low to the ground before its engines roared back to life, carrying the plane upward and away from the runway.
One aviation enthusiast monitoring the situation described the moment as "incredibly tense," noting that the aircraft had descended to approximately 200 feet above ground level before initiating the climb-out procedure.
Expert Analysis of the Situation
Aviation safety experts have praised the crew's professional handling of what could have been a dangerous situation. "Go-arounds, while unsettling for passengers, represent standard safety procedures that pilots train for extensively," explained Captain Michael Walker, a retired commercial pilot with over 30 years of experience.
He continued: "When weather conditions deteriorate rapidly or aircraft ahead haven't cleared the runway, executing a go-around is the safest course of action. The Virgin Australia crew demonstrated excellent airmanship in following ATC instructions precisely."
Passenger Experience and Aftermath
While undoubtedly alarming for those onboard, the aircraft subsequently circled and made a successful landing on its second approach. Passengers reported feeling several strong bumps and hearing unusual engine noises during the initial descent before experiencing the sudden climb.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has confirmed it is gathering information about the incident, standard procedure for such events. Virgin Australia representatives have emphasised that passenger safety remains their utmost priority and that such procedures, while rare, form part of comprehensive safety protocols.
Weather reports from Thursday indicate Sydney was experiencing significant crosswinds and rain showers at the time of the incident, conditions known to challenge even experienced flight crews during landing procedures.
