Heart-Stopping Moment: Ryanair Wing Clips Dublin Runway During Aborted Landing

Imagine this: you're coming in for a landing, the plane is descending, and you’re just about ready to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing you'll soon be on solid ground. Then, unexpectedly, there's a jolt, a disconcerting lurch, and you realize something isn't quite right. That's precisely what unfolded for passengers aboard a Ryanair Boeing 737 at Dublin Airport on September 11, 2026.

It was, by all accounts, a routine flight, heading into Dublin. But as the aircraft approached the tarmac, ready to touch down, something truly unexpected happened. The wingtip of the plane – specifically, the right wing – momentarily scraped the runway. One can only imagine the gasp that went through the cabin as the plane, for a split second, seemed to tumble or lurch onto its side before the pilots, with incredible speed and skill, took decisive action.

The immediate response from the cockpit was textbook: a swift and decisive 'go-around.' This maneuver, while perfectly standard in aviation safety protocols, is always a testament to a pilot's training and presence of mind. Instead of continuing the landing, the crew powered up the engines, pulling the aircraft back into the sky, away from the immediate danger, to reassess and prepare for another, safer attempt.

What makes this particular incident so vivid, so visceral, is that it was actually captured on video by a passenger. Yes, someone on board had their phone out, filming what they likely expected to be just another uneventful landing. Instead, they documented the startling moment the wing made contact, providing a rare and rather unsettling glimpse into the realities of air travel and the unexpected challenges that can arise.

Later, the airline, Ryanair, described the whole ordeal as a “minor wingtip impact.” And while it might have been minor in terms of structural damage, it surely felt anything but minor to those on board, witnessing it unfold. It's a stark reminder, I think, of the incredible professionalism of pilots and flight crews who, when faced with an unforeseen circumstance, can react in an instant to ensure the safety of everyone on board. It truly is a testament to their rigorous training and the robust safety systems in place.