Exclusive Photos: Jet Airways performs go-around after hard landing at Bangalore

A Jet Airways Boeing 737-800 registration VT-JGJ performing flight 9W2451 from Kolkata to Bangalore, India with 150 passengers on board, touched down very hard on runway 27 at 08:25 (02:55Z). The resultant force ballooned the aircraft back in to the air around 20 feet. Due to the impact the aircraft was de-stabilised and due to strong cross-winds prevailing, appeared to drift beyond the centre line of the runway. In precaution, the pilot increased to TO/GA power and performed an aborted landing and a go around. The plane landed normally about 10 minutes later.

A group of plane spotters including myself, were witness to the whole incident. Aviation Photographers India member Sanjay Simha took these two photographs of the incident. Bangalore Aviation has used his copyrighted images with permission. Other sites may link to these images with due credit to Mr. Simha.

The picture above shows the puff of white smoke from the tyres at touchdown, and the aircraft appearing to drift towards the left of the runway.
The pilot applies TOGA (Take-Off / Go-Around) power and climbs.

Click on images for a high resolution view.

A spokesperson for the airline released this statement

"Jet Airways flight 9W 2451 (Kolkata-Bengaluru) of August 10, 2010, with 150 passengers on board, did a go around at Bengaluru Airport due to a sudden change of wind direction. The aircraft since proceeded to land safely at Bengaluru. Safety is of paramount importance to the airline and every precaution is taken to ensure a high standard of operational safety."

METAR
VOBL 100200Z 32011KT 300V020 6000 SCT008 SCT250 21/19 Q1013 NOSIG (hat tip to Simon Hradecky)