Ryanair Plane Wing Clips Dublin Runway During Aborted Landing

A Ryanair Boeing 737 aircraft aborted its landing at Dublin Airport on March 15, 2024, after its wingtip made contact with the runway. The incident was captured on video by a passenger onboard the flight. The aircraft, operating flight FR108 from Krakow, Poland, was reportedly on its final approach to Dublin Airport when the wingtip strike occurred. Following the aborted landing, the aircraft was able to circle and successfully land on its second attempt without further incident. No injuries were reported among the 190 passengers and six crew members aboard the flight. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has been notified and is expected to investigate the occurrence. The Boeing 737-800 is a narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, commonly used by airlines like Ryanair for short-to-medium haul routes. Dublin Airport is Ireland's busiest airport, handling over 30 million passengers annually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is a major hub for European air travel. The specific circumstances leading to the wingtip strike, such as crosswinds, pilot error, or a combination of factors, will be the focus of the IAA's investigation. Aviation safety investigations typically involve reviewing flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, air traffic control communications, and pilot interviews to determine the root cause of an incident and recommend measures to prevent recurrence. Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline, is one of Europe's largest carriers, operating a vast network of routes across the continent. The airline has a large fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The incident highlights the critical nature of precise flight control during landing, especially in challenging weather conditions or when encountering unexpected situations. The video footage, shared widely on social media, shows the moment of impact and the subsequent actions of the flight crew to regain control and execute a go-around. The successful second landing underscores the professionalism of the flight crew in managing the situation. The investigation by the IAA will aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the event and ensure the continued safety of air travel.