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Plane Aborts Landing at LAX Amid Heavy Winds
Southwest flight forced to pull up as storm batters aircraft on approach
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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Passengers aboard a Southwest plane bound for Los Angeles International Airport experienced a harrowing landing attempt on Tuesday night as heavy winds from a winter storm battered the aircraft, forcing the pilot to abort the landing at the last second. Video footage captured the plane being tossed around in the wind as it approached the runway, before the pilot was forced to pull the plane back up and make another pass.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the challenges that pilots and airlines face when operating in severe weather conditions, and the importance of safety protocols that allow them to make the call to abort a landing if necessary. LAX is a major hub, and disruptions to flights there can have ripple effects across the aviation network.
The details
The video footage, captured by a camera at a nearby hotel, shows the Southwest 737 with its landing gear deployed as it approaches the runway, only to be buffeted by strong winds that force the pilot to pull up abruptly. The plane then makes another pass before eventually landing safely. One passenger on a different flight from Hawaii reported experiencing extreme turbulence and several passengers vomiting during their landing at LAX due to the storm.
- The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
The players
Southwest Airlines
A major U.S. airline that operates the flight that aborted its landing at LAX due to heavy winds.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
A major international airport serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area, where the aborted landing took place.
What’s next
The FAA stated it did not have data on how many other flights were diverted or required go-arounds at LAX due to the storm, as it is up to the pilot's discretion to determine the number of attempts needed to safely land the aircraft.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the importance of pilot discretion and safety protocols when operating in severe weather conditions. While disruptions to flights at a major hub like LAX can have broader impacts, the top priority is ensuring the safe landing of aircraft and the well-being of passengers.
