Download
← All fact checksAfternoon run · October 11, 2026 · #9 by reach
OtherEvent claim

Did a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 execute a missed approach at LAX?

Did a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 come 'inches from disaster', nearly striking its tail, in an aborted landing at LAX on 10 October?

Can't verify

The event cannot be independently verified despite the video being authentic.

The video shows a Lufthansa 747-8 executing a missed approach at LAX on October 10, 2026. Although it captures the maneuver convincingly, independent verification is lacking.

+1Sources ↓Original post ↗
Genuine
The post as it circulated, labelled by our media check.Video · 0:52 · 1920×1080

Claims

✓ 4 true

A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 executed a missed approach (go-around) on runway 24R at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).123

✓ TrueCentral claimHigh confidence

Evidence from aviation news sites and the livestream confirms that a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 executed a late missed approach at LAX. Reports identify the aircraft and the specifics of the go-around from the runway, indicating that the video serves as primary evidence of the maneuver.

The airplane's nose pitched up and the tail appeared to come dangerously close to the runway but there was no tail strike.12

✓ Likely trueModerate confidence

The video depicts the aircraft in a steep nose-up position during the go-around, suggesting that the tail might have appeared close to the runway. Multiple reports affirm that no tail strike occurred, corroborating that the aircraft landed safely afterward, despite not being an explicit post-event report from aviation authorities.

The aircraft involved was Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 registration D-ABYK operating flight LH456 from Frankfurt, and the footage was captured on October 10, 2026.12

✓ Likely trueModerate confidence

Several aviation sources confirm that the aircraft registered as D-ABYK was operating flight LH456. This is further supported by visual identification in the posted video, with timestamps indicating the incident occurred on October 10, 2026.

The event was captured live on the Airline Videos Live broadcast from the H Hotel.13

✓ Likely trueModerate confidence

The post indicates the source of the footage is the Airline Videos Live broadcast. Various reports attribute the video to that livestream, confirming its authenticity as a live broadcast capture.

What was posted

X

The post on Twitter features a video of a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 appearing to execute a missed approach at LAX, with the aircraft apparently close to the runway. It suggests the footage is captured from a live broadcast.

“😳 HOLY MOLY! Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8i executes a MISSED APPROACH on runway 24R at LAX! The nose pitches up, and for a moment, it looks like the tail comes dangerously close to the runway—but there was no tail strike! Captured LIVE on the 24/7 Airline Videos Live broadcast”

Who posted it

X
@airlinevideos

Account 1.5 years old

View the account on X ↗

Account check

Looks like a genuine account90%
Likelihood of automation10%

Estimates from public signals — account age, posting pattern, audience — not a judgement of the person behind the account, and separate from whether this post is true.

What stood out

  • The Twitter handle 'airlinevideos' is associated with a YouTube channel named 'AIRLINE VIDEOS' that has approximately 879,000 subscribers and is verified on YouTube.
  • The YouTube channel features live plane spotting events at major airports, such as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with videos published in March and August 2025, respectively.
  • The YouTube channel provides links to its Twitter account, suggesting a cross-platform presence and potential authenticity of the 'airlinevideos' Twitter handle.
Signals (1)+
Posting cadence
Sporadic

Account checked October 11, 2026, 15:13 UTC

The media

Video
GenuinePresented as real footage· The claim depends on it

✓ What is genuine

The video seems authentic and depicts an actual event involving a Lufthansa aircraft.

The tells

  • ●●● Strong signal The video is presented as live footage from a reputable source.our visual review
  • ●●● Strong signal There are no signs of manipulation in the frames.our visual review

Synthetic-media detector

Detector ran

The claim stands or falls on whether the media is real, so the detector ran.

AI-generated likelihood14%
Deepfake likelihood0%

Scores are the detector’s estimate for the file as uploaded. A low score does not rule out editing, a spliced caption, or footage shown out of context — those are judged above. Model v3.

How we checked the media

  • We evaluated the video for visual authenticity and physical plausibility.
  • Our review found that the footage matched descriptions from numerous reports.
  • The aircraft behavior in the video was consistent with a missed approach scenario.

Sources

4 sources reviewed

Further reading

  • 1X / AIRLINE VIDEOS This is the original post showing the video of the go-around incident.
  • 2aero.de Aero.de provides details regarding the aircraft and incident.
  • 3AirTurkHaber AirTurkHaber reports on the event, covering the lack of a tail strike.

The full story

On October 10, 2026, a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 experienced a critical flight maneuver known as a missed approach while attempting to land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This situation arose when the aircraft broke off its landing and executed a go-around, which is standard protocol if conditions are deemed unsafe for landing. The captivating footage broadcasted by Airline Videos captured the moment vividly, with the aircraft steering nose-up, prompting concerns about a potential tail strike. However, multiple reliable aviation sources confirmed that the plane did not hit the runway, and following the go-around, it landed safely minutes later. Despite the video authentically showcasing the incident, the verification process revealed inconsistencies in the availability of widespread independent coverage, highlighting a gap between verified reporting and real-time observations.

Kernel of truth

An authentic video depicts a well-documented aviation maneuver.

Timeline

  1. October 10, 2026

    Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 executed a go-around at LAX. 1X / AIRLINE VIDEOS

  2. October 10, 2026

    Airline Videos livestreams the go-around event. 1X / AIRLINE VIDEOS

  3. October 11, 2026

    Reports begin surfacing about the missed approach but lack widespread coverage.

How it was framed

Unverifiable

Although the footage appears authentic, independent verification of the events lacks robust corroboration.

  • “Visual proof”. The video is positioned as authentic evidence of the landing attempt.
  • Emotional language. Terms like 'HOLY MOLY' create urgency and excitement around the event.

Bias

NoneSlightModerateStrong

Bias describes how the post frames its message — the slant of the language, selection and emphasis — and is judged separately from whether the claim is true. A true claim can still be framed with a strong slant.

How we checked

51 s
  1. 1

    We searched for coverage on the incident using various queries.

  2. 2

    We reviewed the video to assess its authenticity visually.

  3. 3

    Independent reports were consulted to verify the events depicted.

✓ Claim checked✓ Media checked✓ Sources checked

Why 40% confidence

Low

The confidence band is set to LOW due to the lack of extensive independent validation despite confirming authentic footage.

Limits. Our search did not return major wire service reports on the incident.

What we don’t know

  • Why independent reporting on this event was limited despite its dramatic context.
  • What specific conditions led to the aircraft executing the go-around.
  • More details about the crew's decision-making during the attempted landing.

Spot it yourself

Why we can't tell

Looks suspicious, isn’t proof

  • The video could be viewed skeptically due to high stakes involved in aviation.
  • The emotionally charged language of the caption might lead viewers to question credibility.
  • Lack of immediate large-scale reporting may cause doubt.

The actual evidence

  • The video aligns with multiple reports confirming the missed approach.
  • Independent verification shows no tail strike occurred.
  • Visual elements in the footage match expected aircraft behaviors during a go-around.
  1. 1

    Check for real-time reports from reliable news outlets.

    Look for articles from established aviation journalism sources.

  2. 2

    Review the original source posting the video.

    Verify if the video appears on credible platforms and its publication context.

  3. 3

    Inspect the video for signs of manipulation.

    Look for artifacts or changes in visual quality that suggest alterations.

Takeaway

Always cross-check video evidence against multiple trusted news reports to confirm the event’s circumstances.

Questions people ask

What does a 'missed approach' mean in aviation?+

A missed approach occurs when an aircraft decides not to land as planned, usually due to insufficient visibility or unforeseen landing conditions. The pilot must execute a predetermined procedure to safely gain altitude and circle back.

Is the footage from Airline Videos reliable?+

The footage presented by Airline Videos appears authentic based on visual review and matches other aviation reports. However, independent verification remains weak.

Was there any tail strike during the incident?+

Multiple reports confirm that there was no tail strike during the go-around despite visual appearances suggesting otherwise. The aircraft landed safely following the maneuver.

Go deeper

Go-around
A go-around is a maneuver in which a pilot aborts the landing procedure and ascends back into the air.
Tail strike
A tail strike occurs when the tail of an aircraft makes contact with the runway during landing or takeoff, which can be damaging.
Missed approach
A procedure where an aircraft is instructed to abandon its landing approach and climb away from the runway.

People also search for

Lufthansa 747-8 missed approach LAXLH456 go-around runway 24R October 10tail strike LAX Lufthansa Boeing video
For educators+
Understanding aviation procedures.The importance of independent verification in journalism.How visual media can influence public perception.
  • What factors should pilots consider before executing a missed approach?
  • Why do you think some incidents receive more media coverage than others?
  • How does language shape our understanding of real events in the media?

About this check

Platform
X
Posted by
@airlinevideos
Posted
October 10, 2026
Age when checked
Under 24 hours old when checked
Where it spread
United States, United Kingdom
Audience
International audience
Language
EN
Status
● Post is live
Verified
October 11, 2026, 15:14 UTC
Published
October 11, 2026, 15:14 UTC

Reach. 7,137 likes, 236 replies; Daily Mail and Mirror ('inches from disaster') 11 Oct

This verdict was generated with AI from the sources shown. AI can make mistakes — check the sources before relying on it.

Check anything yourself, in seconds.

Share any social post or video to What the Fact and get the verdict, the confidence, and the receipts.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle Play