Overshoot

An overshoot is a go-around from an approach — the action of applying power and climbing away from the runway after passing the threshold, usually because the approach was unstabilized, the aircraft was not in a position to land safely, or ATC instructed a go-around.

When to Overshoot

• Approach is unstabilized at 500 ft AGL (1,000 ft in IMC)
• Aircraft is too fast, too high, or misaligned at short final
• Unexpected runway incursion — another aircraft, vehicle, or debris on the runway
• ATC instruction: “go around”
• Missed approach point reached without required visual reference (IFR)
• Windshear or microburst encounter on approach

Go-Around Technique

Apply full power, establish a positive pitch attitude for go-around, retract flaps to an intermediate setting (check POH — some aircraft have specific procedures), retract gear when positive rate is confirmed, then follow the missed approach procedure or ATC instructions.

Related Terms

See also: Missed Approach, Low Approach, Touch and Go.