G-G's plane aborts landing, turns back

[Greg McDonald]

From NEWS.COM.AU:

THE Governor-General has cancelled a planned trip to Norfolk Island after her plane was unable to land due to severe weather.
Quentin Bryce was due to attend a special 30th anniversary sitting of Norfolk Island's Legislative Assembly when extreme weather forced her Airforce 737 to turn back to Sydney this morning.

Official secretary to the Office of the Governor-General, Stephen Brady, said that on the third attempt to land the pilots were forced to abort when the plane was only 30m from the ground.

"The crew made three separate attempts to land the Governor-General's plane,'' Mr Brady said.

"However, severe cross winds, gusting to almost 98km an hour, prevented the plane from landing.''

Mr Brady said those aboard the plane were shaken but unhurt by the incident and the Governor-General thanked the RAAF crew for their handling of the difficult flying conditions.

[Gerard M]

When it says her plane, does that just mean one of the RAAF BBJ's?

[Michael Mak]

I think so, the article mentioned it was a Airforce B737.

[Philip Argy]

Did they really attempt landings with 50 knot cross winds? I wonder what Air Force One would have done.

[Adam P.]

those aboard the plane were shaken

With 50kt gusting crosswinds, one would think they would indeed be shaken in a literal sense...

[Mick F]

If indeed they were 50kt crosswinds, I'm astounded they even made an attempt at landing, let alone 3!

Mick