A British Airways passenger aircraft struck its rear section against the runway while attempting to land at London’s Heathrow Airport on November 12, forcing the pilots to abandon the approach and climb back into the air. The aircraft subsequently landed safely on its second attempt.
The incident involved flight BA431, an Airbus A321neo travelling from Amsterdam to London. Footage recorded by aviation livestreaming channel Big Jet TV showed the aircraft descending towards the runway before its tail appeared to make contact with the surface during touchdown.
The crew responded by initiating a go-around, a standard aviation procedure in which pilots discontinue a landing approach and return the aircraft to the air before attempting another landing. British Airways confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and said it was assisting the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
What happened during the Heathrow landing?
The incident occurred on Thursday morning as BA431 approached Heathrow after its flight from Amsterdam. Video footage shared by Big Jet TV captured the aircraft making contact with the runway before climbing away rather than continuing the landing.
The footage appeared to show the aircraft’s rear section scraping the runway. The aviation channel described the event as a double tail strike in its social media post. However, the exact number of contacts has not been established through a published official investigation finding.
The aircraft later returned for another approach and landed successfully at approximately 10.49am local time, according to Gulf News. No injuries were reported in its coverage.
The successful second landing meant the initial incident did not result in the aircraft remaining unable to land at Heathrow.
Why do pilots perform a go-around?
A go-around is an established safety procedure used when pilots decide that an aircraft should not continue with its current landing attempt.
It can be initiated for several reasons, including an unstable approach, an unexpected aircraft movement, unsuitable runway conditions or another safety concern. Rather than attempting to force a landing, the flight crew climbs away and prepares for another approach.
In the Heathrow incident, the pilots discontinued the landing after the reported tail contact. Their decision allowed the aircraft to make another approach instead of continuing the initial touchdown sequence.
A go-around does not automatically mean an aircraft has suffered a serious mechanical failure. It is an important part of normal aviation safety procedures.
What is an aircraft tail strike?
A tail strike happens when the lower rear section of an aircraft makes contact with the runway during take-off or landing.
During landing, the aircraft’s nose is raised slightly as the pilots reduce its descent and bring the main landing gear towards the runway. If the aircraft’s pitch angle becomes excessive, the rear fuselage can touch the ground.
A tail strike can damage the aircraft’s structure, including parts of the rear fuselage. The extent of any damage depends on the circumstances and severity of the contact.
Airbus guidance identifies tail strikes as events that can require specific structural inspections before an aircraft returns to normal operations. The manufacturer also describes engineering analysis and maintenance checks as part of the process for assessing such occurrences.
For this reason, an aircraft involved in a suspected tail strike cannot simply be assumed to be ready for another flight because it completed a subsequent landing safely.
British Airways assists UK air accident investigators
The incident has been reported to the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which is responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and serious incidents.
British Airways confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and that it was assisting the AAIB. The airline declined to provide further details while the investigation was ongoing, according to its statement reported by 1News.
Investigators may examine relevant flight information, aircraft records and other available evidence to establish the sequence of events. The precise cause of the tail contact, the extent of any damage and the circumstances surrounding the landing will need to be established through the investigation rather than assumed from the video.
The footage has attracted attention because it provides a clear view of an unusual landing sequence. However, video alone cannot establish why the aircraft’s tail contacted the runway or determine the technical condition of the aircraft afterwards.
Does the incident affect British Airways passengers travelling from the UAE?
There is no confirmed indication that the Heathrow incident has caused disruption to British Airways services between the UAE and the UK.
The flight involved was BA431 from Amsterdam, rather than a flight departing from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The reported incident was specific to the aircraft’s landing at Heathrow.
UAE travellers planning to fly with British Airways should continue checking their individual flight status through the airline’s official channels, particularly if they have onward connections through London.
For now, the central facts remain that BA431 experienced a tail strike during its first landing attempt, the pilots performed a go-around and the aircraft landed safely on the next approach. The investigation will be important in establishing exactly what happened during the initial touchdown.
Q1. What happened to the British Airways plane at Heathrow?
A British Airways Airbus A321neo struck its tail against the runway during its first landing attempt at Heathrow on November 12, 2026. The pilots performed a go-around before landing safely on their second attempt.
Q2. Which British Airways flight was involved in the incident?
The aircraft was operating British Airways flight BA431 from Amsterdam to London Heathrow.
Q3. When did the Heathrow tail strike happen?
The incident occurred on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during the aircraft’s morning arrival at Heathrow Airport.
Q4. Did the British Airways aircraft land safely?
Yes. The pilots discontinued the initial landing attempt and brought the aircraft down safely on a second approach at approximately 10.49am local time.
Q5. Were there any injuries reported?
Gulf News reported no injuries following the incident.
Q6. What is a tail strike during aircraft landing?
A tail strike occurs when an aircraft’s rear lower section touches the runway during take-off or landing. It can cause structural damage and may require engineering inspections.
Q7. Why did the pilots perform a go-around?
The pilots abandoned the initial landing attempt after the reported runway contact. A go-around allows an aircraft to climb away and prepare for another approach.
Q8. Is the Heathrow incident affecting British Airways flights from Dubai?
No disruption to Dubai or Abu Dhabi services has been confirmed in the available reporting. Passengers should check their individual flight status with British Airways.
