Q&A · 46:29-46:41

When a carrier landing can no longer become a go-around

The decisive boundary is arrestment: once the tailhook has caught a wire, the aircraft is committed to stopping on deck.

Question

At what point during a carrier landing is a go-around no longer possible?

Short answer

Once the aircraft's tailhook has caught an arresting wire, it is committed to stopping on deck.

Notes

A carrier landing stops being recoverable as a normal go-around at arrestment. Before the tailhook catches a wire, the pilot may still add power and fly away if the approach is unsafe. Once the hook engages the arresting gear, the aircraft is committed to the deck recovery. Precise visual cues, deck procedures, and arresting gear condition are therefore essential during carrier operations.