Lufthansa 747 narrowly avoids tail strike during go-around at LAX

Key points

• The incident occurred on October 10, 2026, at LAX during the approach of Lufthansa flight LH456 from Frankfurt.
• The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 with registration D-ABYK, touched down on Runway 24R with approximately 6,000 feet of runway remaining, leading to an immediate go-around.
• Footage showed the tail coming within inches of the runway surface, but no contact was made, and no structural damage was reported.
• The plane landed safely on its second attempt at 1:33 PM local time, 15 minutes after the initial abort.
• The return flight (LH457) departed LAX nearly an hour late but arrived in Frankfurt ahead of schedule on October 11.
• Lufthansa confirmed the go-around was a standard safety procedure, and the aircraft remained in service.

Background

This incident follows a similar event in April 2024, when a different Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 (D-ABYP) experienced a hard landing and go-around at LAX. The current event highlights the routine nature of go-arounds as a safety measure, even when visually dramatic. The Boeing 747-8, operated by Lufthansa for over five decades, is a wide-body aircraft with a capacity of 364 passengers. The incident occurred amid broader aviation disruptions, including Lufthansa’s suspension of flights to Riyadh due to Middle East tensions, though the two events are unrelated.

How outlets are covering it

One Mile at a Time emphasizes the visual drama of the go-around, noting the tail came 'within feet' of the runway but clarifying that tail strikes are often survivable and not always dangerous. The Economic Times highlights the 'tragedy averted' angle, focusing on the near-miss and the 30-minute delay to final landing. Aviation A2Z provides operational details, including the aircraft’s age (13.22 years), cabin configuration, and the return flight’s schedule, while also referencing the April 2024 LAX incident for context. All sources agree on the safety outcome and the standard nature of the go-around, but differ in emphasis: One Mile at a Time focuses on the visual spectacle, The Economic Times on the near-miss drama, and Aviation A2Z on operational and historical context.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the importance of go-arounds as a critical safety procedure in aviation, even when visually alarming. It also highlights the resilience of modern aircraft like the Boeing 747-8, which can withstand near-misses without significant damage. For passengers and aviation enthusiasts, the event serves as a reminder that dramatic maneuvers do not always indicate danger, and that safety protocols are rigorously followed. The incident also draws attention to the operational challenges at LAX, including runway length and traffic, which can contribute to such events.

What to watch

The aircraft D-ABYK resumed normal operations, with its next scheduled flight being LH402 from Frankfurt to Newark on October 12, 2026. Lufthansa has not indicated any further investigation or service restrictions, as the go-around was deemed a standard procedure. The incident is expected to remain a topic of discussion among aviation enthusiasts due to the viral footage, but no long-term operational changes are anticipated.