Balked Landing (Discontinued Landing Approach with Go-Around Initiated) in Aviation Operations

A balked landing—also known as a baulked landing or rejected landing—is a critical maneuver in aviation operations, occurring when the flight crew aborts a landing attempt at very low altitude or even after initial runway contact. This glossary entry explores the operational, regulatory, and safety aspects of balked landings, comparing them with related concepts such as go-arounds and missed approaches, and providing context on associated procedures, hazards, and best practices.

Definition: Balked Landing (Baulked/Rejected Landing)

A balked landing is the decision and action to discontinue a landing attempt after the aircraft is in a full landing configuration, typically at low altitude—below 50 feet AGL—or even after the main gear has touched down, but before deployment of thrust reversers or spoilers. The maneuver involves transitioning rapidly from a landing mindset to a go-around, requiring the application of maximum thrust (TOGA) and careful management of aircraft configuration, attitude, and airspeed.

Key characteristics:

• Initiated at very low height or after initial runway contact.
• Aircraft in landing configuration (full flaps, gear down, engines at or near idle).
• Low-energy state—minimal excess speed or power available.
• Distinct from a standard go-around (higher energy, earlier in approach).
• May lack obstacle clearance protection provided by published missed approach procedures.

Context and Application

The balked landing maneuver is mandated as part of both flight crew training and aircraft certification standards by global regulatory authorities (FAA, EASA, ICAO, Transport Canada). Due to the unique risks and performance limitations of the low-energy regime, pilots must be proficient in recognizing and executing the balked landing sequence using manufacturer and operator procedures.

Specific regulatory references:

• ICAO Annex 6, Part I – Operator requirements for go-around and rejected landing training.
• ICAO Doc 8168 (PANS-OPS) – Procedures and obstacle clearance for missed approaches and go-arounds.
• FAR 25.121(d) / EASA CS-25.121(d) – Aircraft performance requirements for a balked landing.

Key Related Concepts

Go-Around

A go-around is the standard procedure to discontinue an approach to landing, generally initiated before reaching the runway threshold or minimums (DA(H)/MDA(H)). The aircraft is typically at higher energy, with more altitude and power, providing greater performance margins and obstacle clearance.

Operational triggers include:

• Unstable approach.
• Loss of visual reference.
• ATC instruction.
• Runway obstruction.

Missed Approach

A missed approach is a published procedure as part of an instrument approach, designed for execution when the runway environment is not visible at minimums or a safe landing cannot be assured. The missed approach segment begins at the Missed Approach Point (MAP) and guarantees protected climb and obstacle clearance only if initiated at or above the MAP.

Low-Energy Regime

The low-energy regime describes the aircraft’s state in a full landing configuration: flaps extended, gear down, spoilers armed, engines at or near idle, and at or below Vref. Initiating a go-around from this state introduces hazards such as engine spool-up delay, reduced climb capability, and risk of stall or tailstrike.

Vref (Reference Landing Speed)

Vref is the reference speed for landing, usually 1.3 times the stall speed (Vso) in landing configuration. It is critical to maintain or exceed Vref during a balked landing to avoid stall, particularly before configuration changes are made.

TOGA (Take-Off/Go-Around) Thrust

TOGA is the maximum available thrust for takeoff or go-around, selected manually or via a dedicated switch. In a balked landing, immediate application of TOGA is essential due to engine spool-up lag, especially in jet aircraft.

Aircraft Configuration

Aircraft configuration refers to the settings of flaps, gear, spoilers, and other systems for a given phase of flight. During a balked landing, configuration changes (flap/gear retraction, spoiler retraction) must be sequenced carefully and only after a positive rate of climb is confirmed.

Obstacle Clearance Surface (OCS)

The OCS is a protected volume, defined in procedure design, that guarantees obstacle clearance during a missed approach—but only if the procedure is initiated at or above the MAP. Balked landings generally occur below this point, so obstacle clearance is not assured.

Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)

CFIT is when an airworthy, controlled aircraft unintentionally impacts terrain or obstacles, often due to loss of situational awareness or terrain proximity. Balked landings below the MAP, especially in IMC or at night, present significant CFIT risk.

Runway Excursion

A runway excursion is when an aircraft departs the runway surface during landing, takeoff, or a rejected landing, due to factors like excessive speed, delayed go-around, or indecision after initiating a balked landing.

Tailstrike

A tailstrike occurs when the aircraft’s tail contacts the runway, often due to excessive nose-up pitch during rotation or go-around at low speed. The risk is elevated during balked landings if thrust is not available before pitch-up.

Engine Spool-Up Delay

The engine spool-up delay is the time it takes for jet engines to accelerate from idle to TOGA thrust—often 6–8 seconds on large turbofans. During this lag, the aircraft may not climb or may even settle onto the runway.

Flight Director (FD) and Autothrottle/Autothrust Limitations

Some aircraft inhibit FD go-around modes or autothrottle engagement after touchdown, requiring manual thrust and flight path management during a balked landing, increasing pilot workload.

Crew Resource Management (CRM)

CRM is the effective use of all available resources—human and technical—to maximize safety. In a balked landing, clear communication and strict SOP adherence are critical due to the high workload and time-sensitive nature of the event.

Bounced Landing

A bounced landing is when the aircraft touches down and becomes airborne again, increasing the risk of loss of control or structural damage. Severe bounces should be followed by a go-around (balked landing) rather than attempting to salvage the landing.

Landing Flare and Long Float

The flare is the pitch-up maneuver to arrest descent before touchdown; a long float occurs with excessive airspeed or improper technique, risking insufficient runway for stopping. In such cases, a go-around or balked landing may be the safest option.

Visual Reference and Loss Thereof

Visual reference means sufficient visual cues for safe landing. Loss of visual reference (e.g., due to weather) below minimums or during flare mandates a go-around or balked landing per ICAO and operator SOPs.

Regulatory and Training Requirements

• ICAO and national authorities require operators to train crews in balked landing procedures.
• Aircraft certification entails demonstration of balked landing climb capability.
• Operators must develop SOPs and, for complex airports, site-specific contingency procedures.

Safety Hazards and Mitigation

• Engine spool-up delay: Apply TOGA immediately, delay pitch-up until thrust is available.
• Tailstrike: Avoid aggressive nose-up input before confirming airspeed and thrust.
• Loss of obstacle clearance: Be aware that below the MAP, missed approach obstacle protection does not apply.
• CRM and communication: Ensure clear, decisive cockpit coordination.
• Runway excursion and indecision: Once committed to a go-around, do not reverse the decision.

Conclusion

A balked landing is a time-critical, high-risk maneuver requiring precise execution, robust crew coordination, and strict adherence to SOPs. Its successful execution hinges on understanding the differences from standard go-arounds and missed approaches, recognizing the unique hazards of the low-energy regime, and training for the specific sequence of actions necessary to restore aircraft energy and ensure a safe climb away from the runway environment.

For further reading, consult ICAO Doc 8168, FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, EASA regulations, and aircraft-specific Flight Crew Operating Manuals.

Related terms:
Go-Around, Missed Approach, Vref, TOGA, Engine Spool-Up Delay, CRM, Obstacle Clearance Surface, CFIT, Runway Excursion, Tailstrike, Bounced Landing, Flare, Visual Reference

See also:

• Go-Around
• Missed Approach
• CRM in Abnormal Situations
• ICAO Doc 8168