Lufthansa 747 Performs Go Around After LAX Tail Strike Scare

A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 operating flight LH456 from Frankfurt to Los Angeles performed a go-around at Los Angeles International Airport on October 10 after coming within inches of a tail strike during landing, forcing the aircraft to circle before safely touching down.

The incident involved aircraft registration D-ABYK, a Boeing 747-8 that Lufthansa received in 2013. The widebody jet initially touched down at 1:18 PM before the pilots aborted the landing and completed another approach at 1:33 PM.

According to Simple Flying, the event was captured by a planespotting livestream at LAX as the aircraft pitched upward during the landing attempt. The tail did not make contact with runway 24R, and no damage requiring repairs was reported.

A Lufthansa spokesperson said the airline considered the maneuver a normal safety procedure.

"LH456 performed a go-around on October 10 while approaching Los Angeles and landed normally and safely on its second attempt. This is a standard procedure that has been well-rehearsed. Safety is always a top priority at Lufthansa," said a Lufthansa spokesperson.

The aircraft later operated its return flight LH457 from Los Angeles to Frankfurt. According to Simple Flying, the departure was delayed by almost an hour, leaving at 4:00 PM instead of the scheduled 3:05 PM.

The flight completed its transatlantic journey and arrived in Frankfurt at 10:50 AM on Sunday, October 11, ahead of its planned arrival time of 11:00 AM. The aircraft was scheduled for its next service on Monday, October 12.

The LAX incident followed another difficult landing involving a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 in April 2024. Aircraft D-ABYP bounced after a hard touchdown during a training flight and later performed a go-around.

The YouTuber streaming that 2024 arrival described the landing as the most severe one captured on the broadcast.

"The roughest landing we have ever caught on our broadcast," said the YouTuber streaming the 747's arrival.

Lufthansa said after the 2024 event that an evaluation was required before the aircraft returned to Frankfurt.

"An assessment by the cockpit crew," said Lufthansa in its statement regarding the 2024 landing incident.