On 1st March 2025, a Boeing 737-800 (TC-SOG) belonging to Ajet, during its Ankara-Rize flight, made a go-around manoeuvre while attempting to land at Rize-Artvin Airport and inadvertently turned in the wrong direction, heading towards a high mountainous area. The incident occurred during the final approach to runway 06 of flight VF-4268.
Go-Around at High Altitude
At around 1700 feet above the approach profile, the crew decided to abort the landing and initiated the go-around procedure, 2.3 miles before the runway threshold. However, the aircraft, which should have turned left towards the sea according to standard procedure, veered right and headed towards the mountains at an altitude of 9200 feet.
Error Noticed in Time
While the aircraft was climbing to 3000 feet, the crew realised the incorrect turn and promptly turned the aircraft left towards the Black Sea. After climbing to 6000 feet, the aircraft was repositioned for another approach and landed safely on runway 06 without further issue.
Investigation Launched
Following the incident, authorities launched an investigation to determine the causes of the error during the go-around procedure. Thanks to the crew’s attentiveness and quick response, a serious accident was averted.
