missed approach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "missed approach" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in aviation contexts, particularly when referring to a situation where an aircraft cannot land as planned and must go around. An example would be: "The pilot initiated a missed approach due to poor visibility." Alternative expressions include "go-around" and "aborted landing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Navy refueling planes also circle overhead as the attack planes attempt to land on the carrier's deck in case a missed approach requires even more refueling.

The New York Times

Oct. 24, 2004 — The Hendrick Motorsports team suffered a devastating loss when an airplane the NASCAR team owned crashed during a missed approach to an airport in Stuart, Va.

The Washington Post

Perhaps most interesting in my opinion is that the writer's missed approach begins with the headline.

Forbes

After visual confirmation of the fault from the ground, the pilot initiated a missed approach and declared an emergency.

Wikipedia

The crew didn't fly to Cairo, but elected to fly to Nicosia instead, where a missed approach and subsequent low circuit ended in impact near the airport perimeter.

Wikipedia

As it continued its descent past the missed approach point – where the runway must be in sight to continue – the pilots had still not visually located the runway in the increasing darkness and snow showers.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"We made three missed approaches.

The New York Times

Owing to the mistake by the Observer Corps, and the Geschwader being missed approaching the eastern, instead of central Channel by radar, KG 2 hit the RAF airfield.

Wikipedia

As the flight approached Aspen Pitkin County Airport, it became evident that some of the other inbound flights were performing missed approaches, as they had been unable to complete an instrument approach to the airport's runway.

Wikipedia

This "it weren't me, miss" approach is not fair on other public servants.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a direct replacement of traditional one-factor-at-a-time or "hit or miss" approach to experimentation.

Design of Experiments for Engineers and Scientists

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing aviation incidents, use "missed approach" to specifically denote the procedure of aborting a landing, especially when further action like a go-around is involved. It adds technical accuracy to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "missed approach" to describe any problem during landing. This term specifically refers to a deliberate decision to not land and to execute a go-around. If the plane landed hard or had difficulties but completed the landing, don't call it a "missed approach".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missed approach" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifically denoting an aviation procedure. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing specific instances of aborted landings and related safety protocols.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "missed approach" is a noun phrase that refers to an aborted landing procedure in aviation. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and primarily used in news, wiki and science contexts. Although the phrase itself is quite specific, understanding its nuances is crucial for clear communication, particularly in aviation-related discussions. While "go-around" serves as a direct synonym, alternatives such as "aborted landing" can be used in broader contexts. Use "missed approach" when you want to be precise about the aviation procedure, avoid its use if the landing simply had other general problems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go-around

This term is a more common synonym in aviation, referring to the same maneuver of aborting a landing.

aborted landing

This phrase directly describes the action of halting a landing attempt.

balked landing

Similar to aborted landing, but slightly less common.

baulked landing

British English variant of 'balked landing'.

landing abort

A concise way to refer to the action of aborting a landing.

unsuccessful landing attempt

A more descriptive and general way to express a failed landing.

discontinued approach

Focuses on the termination of the approach phase before landing.

rejected landing

Emphasizes the active decision to not proceed with the landing.

uncompleted landing

Highlights the unfinished nature of the landing procedure.

failed landing

A simple and direct term for a landing that did not succeed.

FAQs

What does "missed approach" mean in aviation?

In aviation, a "missed approach" is a procedure executed by a pilot when an aircraft cannot safely land for various reasons, requiring the pilot to abort the landing and prepare for another attempt or divert to an alternate airport.

What are some common reasons for a pilot to execute a "missed approach"?

Common reasons include poor visibility due to weather, obstructions on the runway, unstable approach, or instructions from air traffic control. Any factor that compromises a safe landing can lead to a pilot initiating a "missed approach".

Is a "missed approach" the same as a "go-around"?

Yes, the terms are often used interchangeably. A "missed approach" is essentially a "go-around", where the pilot aborts the landing and circles around for another attempt.

What should I say instead of "missed approach" in non-aviation contexts?

In contexts outside of aviation, you could use phrases like "failed attempt", "abortive effort", or "unsuccessful attempt" depending on what you mean to convey. These phrases capture the sense of an action that was started but not completed successfully.