Sometimes the only answer to a situation is, “No, not this time.” Maybe it applies during a to-minima instrument approach where the ground never appears; maybe while attempting VFR flight toward weather deteriorating into IMC. Often, it should be the first part of the answer to a questionable landing-with the second part of the answer being, “Yes, Im going around.” The high-profile landing accident involving a Hawker Beechcraft Premier IA at EAA 288
What Goes Around Comes Around… Again
Sometimes the only answer to a situation is, "No, not this time." Maybe it applies during a to-minima instrument approach where the ground never appears; maybe while attempting VFR flight toward weather deteriorating into IMC. Often, it should be the first part of the answer to a questionable landing-with the second part of the answer being, "Yes, Im going around." The high-profile landing accident involving a Hawker Beechcraft Premier IA at EAA AirVenture 2010 in Oshkosh, Wis., served to elevate the topic. But venue aside, normal application of the requisite skills and judgment can work there, just as they do elsewhere.
Key Takeaways:
- Initiating a go-around is a critical safety decision when an approach is questionable, despite carrying inherent risks of its own, often due to improper execution.
- Many scenarios warrant a go-around, including traffic on the runway, unfavorable crosswinds, being off-center, too high/fast, or losing control.
- Proper execution of a go-around follows a specific sequence: Power to arrest descent, Pitch to establish climb, gradual Flap retraction, and then Gear retraction (PPFG).
- After a successful go-around, pilots must reassess the situation to decide whether to re-enter the pattern, divert to a more suitable airport, or wait out conditions, considering the initial problem and fuel.
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