British Airways Jet Suffers Tail Strike at Heathrow, Aborts Landing

A British Airways flight from Amsterdam to London experienced a dramatic landing incident at Heathrow Airport on Thursday when the aircraft's tail struck the runway during touchdown, prompting the pilots to abort the landing and climb back into the air. The Airbus A321neo, operating as flight BA431, was carrying 220 passengers at the time.

According to reports, the aircraft's left-side tyres made contact with the tarmac around 11 a.m., but the tailfin also struck the runway, causing passengers to lurch forward in their seats. Video footage captured by a plane spotter nearby showed the moment of impact before the plane ascended again. Screams were heard from inside the cabin as the situation unfolded.

A source quoted by The Sun described the event as 'most irregular,' adding that 'no one knew what was happening.' The source noted that while high winds buffeted the plane, such scenarios are usually under control. Early investigations suggest a possible misjudgment in the cockpit, and the incident has been reported to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which investigates civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents in the UK.

British Airways has been contacted for comment. The airline has not yet issued a statement on the incident. The AAIB is expected to conduct a full investigation to determine the cause of the tail strike.

Tail strikes are relatively rare but can occur during takeoff or landing when the aircraft's pitch angle is too steep. The A321neo is a popular narrow-body jet used by many airlines for short to medium-haul routes. No injuries have been reported, and the flight subsequently landed safely, according to initial reports.