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BIRMINGHAM, UK – An Air India Amritsar-Birmingham flight faced a mid-air scare during its landing approach on Tuesday evening, forcing pilots to perform a dramatic last-minute manoeuvre that left passengers terrified. The flight, AI117, was just seconds from touchdown at Birmingham Airport when the landing was suddenly aborted.
Seconds from Touchdown: A Sudden Ascent
For the hundreds of passengers aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the sight of the rain-slicked runway was a welcome end to their long-haul journey. But the expected gentle bump of tyres on tarmac never came. Instead, passengers were thrown back in their seats as the aircraft’s powerful engines roared to life, thrusting the plane upwards in a steep, unexpected climb.
The cabin, which had been calm moments before, erupted into confusion and fear. Passengers gripped their armrests as the aircraft banked sharply, ascending back into the cloudy skies over the West Midlands.
‘Sheer Panic’ in the Cabin: A Passenger’s Account
The sudden change from a routine landing to a powerful climb caught everyone by surprise.
“We were so close. I could see the lights on the runway, the cars on the motorway,” said Rohan Sharma, a passenger travelling to visit his family in Coventry. “You brace yourself for the landing, and then suddenly you’re climbing like a rocket. There was a collective gasp in the cabin. No one knew what was happening. For a few minutes, it was sheer panic. My heart was in my mouth.”
Why the Landing Was Aborted: The ‘Go-Around’ Procedure
The cause of the mid-air scare was a “go-around,” a standard but always unnerving safety procedure. Aviation sources indicate the pilots made the critical decision to abort the landing due to a combination of gusty crosswinds and an unstable approach, making a safe touchdown uncertain.
A go-around is a textbook manoeuvre where pilots are trained to prioritise safety above all else, choosing to climb away and re-attempt the landing under more stable conditions. Shortly after the dramatic ascent, the captain’s calm voice came over the intercom, explaining the landing was aborted as a precautionary measure due to weather.
Air India Praises Crew’s ‘Decisive Action’
In an official statement, Air India commended the flight crew for their professionalism and commitment to safety.
“The crew of AI117 operating Amritsar-Birmingham on Tuesday elected to carry out a go-around due to weather on approach,” the airline stated. “Such procedures are a testament to the rigorous training our pilots undergo and our unwavering commitment to passenger safety. The flight landed safely on its second attempt.”
The aircraft circled for approximately 15 minutes before making a second, smooth landing, which was met with spontaneous applause and sighs of relief from those onboard. Aviation experts have reiterated that while frightening, a go-around is a sign of a well-managed flight and a successful execution of safety protocol.
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