Aborted landing / close call - Airbus & 737 - Lindbergh Field - San Diego - 3/05/11

[acjflyer]

Great video! The high view you have offered a rarely seen perspective of where the 737 was in relation to the Airbus. Awesome catch!

[silkEluv]

Thank you for that…which was probably the most intelligent and educated comment yet. It's truly refreshing to see someone agree with the obvious. I think we all get that technically the 737 could have been well on its way while the airbus squeezed it in. How about the comments like "Honestly I think he could have landed, it wasnt close". Although maybe true, I don't think it's something the next-of-kin wanna hear after their loved one's have made the headlines in the worst way.

[beegbolt]

That was way too close, absoluteley a must to abort in a situation like this! SAN is a very busy single-runway commercial port, and only getting more volume with a new terminal coming.

[aeropelicanj32]

Go around, it needs to go around, go around

[SWAairlinePilot]

Honestly i think he could have landed, it wasnt close. The southwest plane was just lifting off and he still had 5 sec or so before he would have even touched down. But ofcourse I wasnt there maybe it was close in person. I bet it wouldve saved $500, probably alot more than that, in fuel for the airline though if he would have just landed! lol

[silkEluv]

@SWAairlinePilot: Technically, yes, I agree. But he had to make that go/no-go decision at some point. Take into consideration possible emergency scenarios…like the SW having to abort for some reason. Then you have a disabled jet on the runway and a landing jet that needs a prayer. I think the Airbus did the right thing. Yeah, it may not have been that close. But there was a fine line for decision time…and the weighing of safety vs. fuel cost. Fly safe!

[SWAairlinePilot]

@silkEluv Yes, I do agree with you. Safety does come before fuel cost! :)

[silkEluv]

@SWAairlinePilot : thanks! I gotta hand it to all you airline pilots out there. What an amazing job you do. Thanks for the show! It's awesome to watch (and videograph).

[sdguero28]

@SWAairlinePilot I agree. I live nearby with a good view of Linbergh and I see planes lifting off just as the next is coming in quite a bit, especially in the evenings. I see one every couple weeks and I think they happen pretty much every day. That said, its cool to see a new video of Lindbergh. Definitely an exciting airport to watch operations unfold at. :)

[silkEluv]

@sdguero28 : Thanks! Yeah, like I said, technically, I do agree. I have seen planes operate like you mentioned...and I am sure some of them cut it close like in the video. I just hope if that if something like that happens the next time I fly, I have a pilot at the helm like the one in the Airbus. :-)

[silkEluv]

@757K: Definitely (not because of cocky controllers though), because of the projected increase in air traffic. They keep expanding the airport by building new terminals to handle all of the passengers but what are they doing to handle all of the planes (besides aborting landings)? Good money after bad. One runway for an "International" airport barely cuts the mustard...but somehow, they manage...for now :-/

[JRussellPiper]

@silkEluv If you listen closely, the controller was the one who issued the go around and alternate heading... not the pilot. Safety first... And calling this "close" is ridiculous!

[silkEluv]

@JRussellPiper: Well, I knew it would only be a matter of time before the "know-it-all" would chime in. The controller issues the go-around only after the Airbus applies the power and starts his climb out. If your eyes were as good as your ears, you would have SEEN that first. Question: Were you there? I didn't think so. You are entitled to your opinion but unless you have an educated and intelligent one instead of a moronic and critical one, keep yur yapper shut. Not close? Ask the pilots.