A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 came within inches of a tail strike while aborting its landing at Los Angeles International Airport on October 10, creating a dramatic moment captured on video that quickly spread online. Flight LH456 from Frankfurt had already briefly touched its main landing gear on runway 24R when the pilots initiated a go-around after an extended float. The long-bodied aircraft pitched steeply nose-up during the climb, bringing its tail dangerously close to the runway surface before powering away safely. The jet circled and completed a normal landing on its second attempt about 15 minutes later with no damage reported and no injuries among passengers or crew. Lufthansa confirmed the maneuver as a standard, well-rehearsed safety procedure and emphasized that safety remains its top priority. The incident highlighted the challenges of handling the 747-8’s length during low-altitude pitch changes.

Go-arounds are a routine part of pilot training precisely for situations like this, yet the visual of a massive four-engine jumbo nearly scraping its tail still startled viewers of the planespotting livestream. The extended float that triggered the decision left the aircraft farther down the runway than ideal, forcing the abrupt climb. Once clear, the crew flew a standard circuit and returned for an uneventful touchdown. Aviation experts note that the 747-8’s size makes tail-strike avoidance especially critical during aggressive go-arounds at low altitude. The safe outcome demonstrated both the pilots’ quick decision-making and the effectiveness of established procedures. Travelers on the flight experienced only a short delay before the aircraft was ready for its return journey to Frankfurt.