How should you conduct a go-around if the runway is not viable for a landing?

How should you conduct a go-around if the runway is not viable for a landing?

• A. Apply full power smoothly, establish a positive rate of climb, retract flaps if applicable per POH, and select a safe alternate landing plan
• B. Immediately pitch down and descend to try again
• C. Cut power and circle at low altitude
• D. Continue approach to touchdown on the same runway if possible

Answer: (A)

When the runway isn’t viable for a landing, you execute a go-around by first applying full power smoothly to accelerate without abrupt control inputs, keeping the wings level and the nose up just enough to prevent a stall. As you gain airspeed, establish a positive rate of climb so you know you’re lifting away from the approach path. Once you’ve got a positive rate and enough climb performance, retract flaps according to the POH to reduce drag and smooth the transition to a clean configuration, then continue climbing to a safe altitude. With the airplane stabilized, select a safe alternate landing plan—this means identifying another suitable runway or aerodrome and coordinating your intentions with ATC or your crew, ensuring you have obstacle clearance and adequate altitude for a stable approach later. Avoiding other options is important because pitching down to descend to retry the approach wastes altitude and increases collision and stall risk, cutting power and circling at low altitude doesn’t provide the necessary margin, and continuing toward a landing on the same runway when it isn’t viable sets you up for an unsafe outcome.

When the runway isn’t viable for a landing, you execute a go-around by first applying full power smoothly to accelerate without abrupt control inputs, keeping the wings level and the nose up just enough to prevent a stall. As you gain airspeed, establish a positive rate of climb so you know you’re lifting away from the approach path. Once you’ve got a positive rate and enough climb performance, retract flaps according to the POH to reduce drag and smooth the transition to a clean configuration, then continue climbing to a safe altitude. With the airplane stabilized, select a safe alternate landing plan—this means identifying another suitable runway or aerodrome and coordinating your intentions with ATC or your crew, ensuring you have obstacle clearance and adequate altitude for a stable approach later.

Avoiding other options is important because pitching down to descend to retry the approach wastes altitude and increases collision and stall risk, cutting power and circling at low altitude doesn’t provide the necessary margin, and continuing toward a landing on the same runway when it isn’t viable sets you up for an unsafe outcome.