A Southwest Airlines pilot was captured on video explaining to passengers why their flight had to perform a go-around upon arrival at Hollywood Burbank Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 737, was coming in from Las Vegas when it encountered an unexpected situation on the runway.
According to local reports from KABC, the pilot communicated over the intercom that the runway they intended to land on was not completely clear upon their initial approach. “Hey folks, just a quick update,” he said. “The ordered runway wasn’t quite clear when we were going to touch down there, so we had to go-around.”
This unexpected maneuver required the plane to circle back and attempt landing once more, which the pilot assured would take an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
A passenger recounted the experience to KABC, describing how the aircraft’s wheels briefly contacted the runway before it ascended sharply to reattempt the landing.
The incident, which took place on a Thursday, is a reminder of the dynamic conditions pilots can face during landings. Despite the brief delay, the situation was handled swiftly and professionally, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board.
As the plane eventually descended safely, passengers were likely relieved to touch down at their destination. These occurrences, although rare, demonstrate the rigorous safety protocols and quick decision-making skills pilots employ to navigate unexpected challenges.
The Federal Aviation Administration told Fox News Digital on Saturday that “The flight crew of Southwest Airlines Flight 2353 executed a pilot-initiated go-around after briefly landing at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California.”
The FAA said “The flight crew of Southwest Airlines Flight 2353 executed a pilot-initiated go-around after briefly landing at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California” on Thursday, March 26. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“There were no other aircraft or vehicles involved,” the FAA added.
A Southwest Airlines spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “We don’t have any internal reports of a runway incursion, and the FAA has indicated to us they do not either.”
“From our initial reports, the pilots performed a routine go around before landing safely. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees,” the spokesperson added.
A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport in Burbank, Calif., on Jan. 29, 2026. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
In July 2025, a Southwest pilot on a flight from Burbank to Las Vegas had to dive aggressively to avoid a midair collision, FOX 11 Los Angeles reported.
