Last Monday evening, I was watching arrivals and departures at SFO from Gate 27 at Terminal 1. At approx. 7pm, I saw a LH A346 perform a missed approach on Runway 28. It was a rather spectacular sight. The timetable indicates it was probably flight #458 from MUC. It landed about 20 minutes later. Is this a common occurance at SFO?

got a pic of it?

AA777jr

To answer your question in one word.....YES!

To explain. SFO seems to have a high amount of go-arounds due to the airports layout. With a/c departing to the north on 1L/R and arriving 28L/R there is a lot of crossing paths. Its very commom to see a departing plane not get rolling fast enough, and if the tower doesn't see them rolling till they have gain some good spped, the only option is to have the approaching a/c go-around. This consist of climbing to 3,000 feet and go straight out to the ocean. If 2 planes are on a parrallel approach, the 28L a/c will turn left 20 degrees to 260 and maintain 3,000, the 28R plane goes straight out.

From the words of a air traffic controller I know here at SFO, "ave more go-arounds per a/c movement then any other major airport" This doesn't meen we have more, but the most per planes moving.

ASSFO

I was actually on my way to the restaurant "IN and OUT" in SAN FRAN around that same time and saw the LH A346 pull its maneuvers! It was rather quite impressive...totally agree w/ you Jmc975!

****"This consist of climbing to 3,000 feet and go straight out to the ocean"****

No. I have seen a VS 343 go around by just turning to the right (it was on approach for 28R), and then made a quick u-turn at about 1000-1200 ft., and established itself back on the glideslope.