TAP Airbus A321neo lands nose first as pilot battles wild Madeira winds: video
A pilot for the Portuguese airline TAP Air Portugal has been captured battling with the infamous swirling Madeira winds while trying to land at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC).
Madeira is known for its challenging sweeping winds that can test even the best pilots as they make their final approach and subsequently makes a perfect spot for keen videographers to film some hair-raising footage.
On March 26, 2024, a TAP Airbus A321neo was carrying out a repositioning flight from Porto Santo Airport (PXO), so as well as managing testing weather conditions the pilots were also contending with a much lighter aircraft than usual due to no passengers being onboard.
In the one minute and 33 second clip videoed by Madeira Airport Spotting, the Airbus A321neo at first appears steady on its approach but it’s not long before a small wobble escalates into something more.
Around 40 seconds into the video the wind picks up, which can clearly be heard on the camera’s microphone, causing the narrowbody jet to begin to sway side to side.
As the A321neo grows more difficult to control against the winds the aircraft’s nose begins to tip downwards.
At the point of almost landing the rear end of the plane rises up, leading to the A321neo landing with the nose first.
During a few more concerning seconds of the aircraft bouncing from right to left before the pilot eventually brings the situation under control.
Following the incident, there has been criticism that the pilots should have started a go-around.
The post TAP Airbus A321neo lands nose first as pilot battles wild Madeira winds: video appeared first on AeroTime.
A pilot for the Portuguese airline TAP Air Portugal has been captured battling with the infamous swirling Madeira…
The post TAP Airbus A321neo lands nose first as pilot battles wild Madeira winds: video appeared first on AeroTime.
