LISBON- On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, a recent incident unfolded involving a four-year-old TAP Air Portugal (TP) Airbus A321neo bearing the registration code CS-TJQ.
The aircraft was engaged in a brief 36-mile repositioning flight within Portugal, specifically from Porto Santo (PXO) to Madeira (FNC). Lasting less than 15 minutes, the flight solely accommodated the crew, with no passengers onboard.
TAP Air Portugal A321 Wild Landing
Madeira Airport (FNC) is notorious for its challenging landing conditions, primarily due to the frequent occurrence of strong winds, which have been particularly intense recently. Additionally, it’s a favored spot for plane enthusiasts due to the anticipation of witnessing remarkable landings.
In the case of this specific flight, an extraordinary landing was captured on video, possibly one of the most peculiar ever documented at the airport. Watch the footage below.
Two main factors appear to have contributed to this peculiar landing:
- The strong winds clearly affect the approach, which is evident from the numerous corrections made by the pilots as the aircraft nears the runway.
- The aircraft is likely operating at its minimum weight capacity since no passengers or cargo are onboard, potentially affecting its flying performance.
As depicted in the video, the aircraft seems to hover above the ground, defying attempts to land despite maintaining a steep nose-down angle. Finally, just before reaching the runway’s midpoint, the aircraft touches down, with the nose gear making contact significantly ahead of the main gear.
Unsurprisingly, once the aircraft touched down, it stopped without incident. However, it’s foreseeable that a thorough inspection of the landing gear will be necessary before the aircraft can resume service.
Risky Approach To Runway
An exceptional landing unfolded in Madeira involving a TAP Air Portugal Airbus A321neo, where the aircraft made a touchdown with its nose gear leading the way.
What adds to the peculiarity is the consistent nose-down angle maintained throughout the runway approach, suggesting the pilots were aware of and possibly anticipated this outcome.
While challenging conditions prevailed, marked by strong winds and an exceptionally lightweight aircraft, the circumstances alone don’t entirely account for such an unusual landing.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.
