investigators have yet to release initial findings about the recent
highly-public wing-strike incident involving a Lufthansa Airbus A320 at Hamburg,
but the carrier says crew was offered an alternative runway before embarking on
their crosswind approach.
was using runway 23 at the time of the incident, around 13:45. Weather
information shows that the winds were from the northwest, which meant that an
approach to this runway was subject to strong crosswinds.
spokesman for Lufthansa says that air traffic controllers “offered to the
pilot” runway 33. This runway, at 3,666m (12,030ft), is slightly longer and
allows an approach on a more northwesterly
heading. But the spokesman says that runway 23 was the one designated for
landings at the time and adds that it is equipped with better instrument landing
and guidance systems than 33.
before the final touchdown there was a gusting crosswind from the side,” he
says. The aircraft’s left wing-tip struck the runway, bending the wing-fence
and causing minor damage to the wing surface, before the crew aborted the
landing and executed a go-around.
crew made a second attempt to land at Hamburg,
this time opting for an approach to runway 33, and touched down without further
incident. None of the 131 passengers and five crew members was injured.
video images of the crosswind approach captured by enthusiasts at the airport
clearly show that, just an instant before the main landing-gear contacts the
runway, the aircraft rolls sharply, initially about 20° to the left, before the
wing-tip touches the ground. The aircraft then drifts far to the left of the
runway centreline, rolling a few degrees to the right
to recover, before climbing away.
spokesman for the German accidents investigation agency BFU says it is
conducting an inquiry. But he adds that this process is still in the
information-gathering stage and the agency is yet to
release preliminary findings.
says the aircraft, registered D-AIQP, is
a 16-year old example owned by the carrier. It has accumulated 36,200 flight
hours in 30,450 cycles.