DHL A300 Flight Executes Emergency Go-Around After Tailstrike at Heathrow Airport
LONDON — A DHL Airbus A300B4-622R(F) cargo jet, registered D-AEAG, was forced to perform an emergency go-around at London Heathrow Airport after suffering a tailstrike during landing. The incident occurred during flight QY2212 from Leipzig, Germany, to London earlier today.
According to initial reports, the aircraft experienced a slight bounce upon touchdown. The left main landing gear made contact with the runway first, causing the aircraft’s tail section to scrape the surface due to an unusually steep nose-up angle. Realizing the situation, the flight crew immediately initiated a go-around, climbing away safely before making a successful second landing on a parallel runway.
Following the incident, DHL engineers and Heathrow Airport officials began a technical inspection of the aircraft. Tailstrikes, experts warn, can cause significant structural damage to the rear fuselage and require detailed assessment before the aircraft can return to service.
Preliminary findings suggest that the incident may have been influenced by approach speed, runway conditions, and pilot handling during the flare phase of landing. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft was later towed for maintenance checks.
Aviation analysts have noted that the event underscores the critical importance of flight crew experience, precise approach management, and pre-flight preparation.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and will be participating in the investigation to determine the root cause.
This incident once again highlights the rigorous safety protocols and rapid decision-making that define modern aviation. Thanks to the pilots’ swift response, a potentially serious accident was averted, reaffirming the vital role of training and adherence to safety standards in air transport operations.
