A Turkish Airlines Airbus A321neo hoping to land at London Gatwick had to divert to Birmingham due to low fuel after having to hold for longer than expected. The incident took place on May 23rd and resulted in a three-hour delay for the passengers of flight TK1997. It also led to the cancelation of the return journey and an overnight stay in London for the A321.

Approaching London Gatwick

On Tuesday, May 23rd, a Turkish Airlines Airbus A321neo was flying from Istanbul (IST) to London Gatwick (LGW) as flight TK1997. As per FlightRadar24.com data, the aircraft, registered TC-LSN, departed about 40 minutes past its scheduled departure time but conducted an otherwise uneventful flight towards the UK. However, as the flight neared its destination, a problem arose due to heavy congestion at the airport.

According to The Aviation Herald, the jet was on final approach to Gatwick's runway 08R, about 2.5NM (4.63 km) before touchdown and descending through about 875 feet AGL (above ground level) when the crew had to initiate a go-around. The reason for the go around: Another aircraft was in position to begin their takeoff run.

This aircraft was a BA Euroflyer Airbus A320-200, registered G-GATS, performing flight BA2762 to Amsterdam (AMS). It's noted that the A320 was lining up with runway 08R while the Turkish Airlines A321 was on final approach. Indeed, the A320 had crossed the hold short line as the A321neo was about 3NM (5.56 km) from landing. The BA Euroflyer jet ultimately commenced takeoff about 30 seconds later and a go-around was conducted by TK1997.

A local source, listening in on local tower frequencies, told The Aviation Herald that the tower was calling the A320 to stop while still on the taxiway. The same source also notes that the tower had instructed the A321neo to go around.

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Go around (and around and around)

Examining flight path data from FlightRadar24.com, it appears that the A321 had been in a holding pattern prior to its final approach, flying one circuit in East Sussex, approximately over the town of Heathfield. After this single loop, it then headed towards Gatwick's runway 08R.

After initiating its go around the jet ascended to 3,000 feet (914m) before moving up again to FL070 (700ft). Traffic congestion at Gatwick was reportedly heavy at the time and flights were facing delays of about 30 minutes. It's this situation that prompted the Turkish flight to make the decision to land elsewhere, knowing that the flight may have to hold for even more time as fuel reserves were getting lower.

Indeed, the aircraft had already completed a flight from Istanbul and then entered into a holding pattern prior to final approach. It then had to conduct a go-around to hold for 30 minutes more and was nearing its diversion fuel. Thus, the crew decided to ascend to FL160 and head to Birmingham Airport (BHX). On approach to Birmingham, The Aviation Herald reports that the crew declared a fuel emergency and performed a safe landing on Birmingham's runway 33, some 35 minutes after conducting the go-around.

After refueling in Birmingham, the aircraft then departed for London Gatwick, operating as special flight number THY6NQ. The jet took about 40 minutes to get from BHX to LGW. All in, the flight and the 112 people onboard experienced a delay of approximately three hours.

The delay resulted in Turkish Airlines canceling the inbound service from London to Istanbul, flight TK1998. The A321, having spent the night at Gatwick, then departed the airport on May 24th with special flight number TK6898 at 11:46 local time, It finally reached Istanbul at 17:13 local time.

As for the BA Euroflyer service, the A320 continued to Amsterdam Schiphol and landed there on time.

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Sources: Planespotters.net, FlightRadar24.com, The Aviation Herald

• 

  British Airways

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  BA/BAW

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport

  Year Founded:

  1974

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  Airline Group:

  IAG

  CEO:

  Sean Doyle

  Country:

  United Kingdom

• 

  Turkish Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  TK/THY

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Istanbul Airport

  Year Founded:

  1933

  Alliance:

  Star Alliance

  CEO:

  Bilal Ekşi

  Country:

  Turkey