Watch British Airways jet abort landing after near 'tail strike'


Simon Rushton
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A pilot bravely battles to control his British Airways jet as it was caught in strong winds while landing in London's Heathrow Airport.

Storm Corrie had battered the country with winds up to 150 kilometres an hour, leaving at least two people dead and up to 30,000 people without power.

“Easy, easy, easy. Oh my god,” one plane spotter said on video as the aircraft shuddered and bounced on the runway.

The landing attempt failed and the plane, an Airbus A321, flight BA1307 from Aberdeen, took off for a second attempt.

Witnesses said they could see paint dust in the air as the plane bounced on the runway during the first attempt.

It appeared to pitch in the air as it descended, hit the runway then leant to its left, balancing on half an undercarriage.

The plane tried to land during Storm Corrie
The plane tried to land during Storm Corrie

The tail appeared to touch the ground before the aircraft gained altitude in what is known as a “touch-and-go” move.

“Our pilots are highly trained to manage a range of scenarios, including extreme weather, and our flight crew landed the aircraft safely,” a British Airways spokesman said.

“Our customers and crew all disembarked as normal.”

More images

  • The flight from Dubai on Wednesday was one of many that had to battle winds at the airport in northern England. Picturematt / REX
    The flight from Dubai on Wednesday was one of many that had to battle winds at the airport in northern England. Picturematt / REX
  • Steady. The pilot makes an adjustment for the wind as the A380 is about to land. Photo by Picturematt / REX
    Steady. The pilot makes an adjustment for the wind as the A380 is about to land. Photo by Picturematt / REX
  • The Emirates jet lands safely, but standing water on the runway sprays under braking. Photo by Picturematt / REX
    The Emirates jet lands safely, but standing water on the runway sprays under braking. Photo by Picturematt / REX
  • Standing water sprays underneath the right wing of the A380. Photo by Picturematt / REX
    Standing water sprays underneath the right wing of the A380. Photo by Picturematt / REX
Updated: February 01, 2022, 7:05 PM