Lufthansa Plane Fails to Land at LAX, Forcing Go-Around After Touching Runway

A Lufthansa Airlines Boeing 747-8i aircraft experienced a dramatic touch-and-go landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on April 25, 2024. Lufthansa Flight 456 from Frankfurt, Germany touched down hard on the runway, bounced twice, then was forced to abort the landing and go around for another attempt.

The incident, captured on video by Airline Videos Live, showed the plane hitting the runway forcefully, causing a cloud of white smoke to burst from the wheels. The aircraft then jerked upward and bounced two more times before the pilots initiated a go-around maneuver.

Kevin Ray, owner and host of Airline Videos Live, described it as the "roughest landing" he had ever caught on camera. "The jet slammed into the runway and burned rubber," Ray said. Aviation experts noted that while the landing appeared rough and dramatic, it was not dangerous as the aircraft is built to withstand such situations.

After circling the airport, Lufthansa Flight 456 landed safely without further incident a short time later. The Boeing 747-8i, the largest version of the iconic "Jumbo Jet," can hold over 400 passengers and crew.

Why this matters: The harrowing incident at LAX raises questions about the factors that may have contributed to the difficult landing, such as weather conditions, aircraft weight and balance, or potential technical issues. It also highlights the critical decision-making skills and training of pilots to ensure passenger safety during challenging situations.

The exact cause of the incident is currently under investigation. Lufthansa Airlines was contacted for comment but did not provide a response. This event follows a series of recent issues involving Boeing aircraft, including a FlySafair Boeing 737 that lost a wheel during takeoff in South Africa earlier in the week, leading to an emergency landing.

Key Takeaways

• Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i experienced a dramatic touch-and-go landing at LAX on April 25, 2024.
• The plane hit the runway hard, bounced twice, then aborted the landing and went around.
• The incident was captured on video and described as the "roughest landing" by the videographer.
• The landing was not dangerous as the aircraft is built to withstand such situations.
• The incident follows recent issues with Boeing aircraft, including a 737 losing a wheel in South Africa.