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

Dateline - Saturday, 05 March 2011 (around 11:00 am or so): I was in the process of wrapping up my videotaping of airport operations from Albatross & Ivy in San Diego when it appears a Lindbergh Tower air traffic controller may have slightly misjudged the separation interval and cleared a Southwest Airlines 737 for take-off while a US Airways Airbus was nearing the field ("semi-short" final). The result was an aborted landing by the US Airways jet while the SW 737 was still on the runway during its take-off roll and rotation. It happens :-)

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Aborted
• landing
• close
• call
• US
• Airways
• Airbus
• Southwest
• Airlines
• 737
• Lindbergh
• Field
• San
• Diego
• 3/05/11
• aviation
• aircraft
• airplanes

[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.

[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!

[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

[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.

[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]

@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).

[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. :-)

[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. :)

[SWAairlinePilot]

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