Airbus A340 pilot pulls off unbelievable crosswind landing as it crabs in sideways while time stands still
Published on Jun 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jun 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
An Airbus A340 pilot has pulled off an amazing landing in Argentina, fighting a crosswind as time appeared to stand still.
Footage of the landing from August 2015 has resurfaced online, as the aircraft came in to land in some very heavy winds.
The Airbus was effectively crabbing onto the runway, looking like it might not make its landing due to the strength of the winds.
But what we see is a show of incredible skill from the pilot.
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The footage was filmed in Ushuaia, in the Tierra del Fuego region of Argentina.
And it appeared that the footage was filmed from the air traffic control tower of the airport.
In the background, we can hear radio transmissions between the tower and the aircraft.
We can also hear a very nervous air traffic controller as they watch the A340 come in to land on the runway.
For a while, it does look perilous, as the jet flies in almost sideways and gets closer and closer to the runway.
The rear wheels gently touch the tarmac, and as it lands, the pilot straightens out the Airbus.
It then points directly down the runway, with the nose wheel gently making contact with the ground.
That part of the video perfectly shows off the rudder work from the pilot to get the A340 pointing in the right direction.
The footage also shows the wings wobbling on the Airbus; such is the strength of the winds in the video.
The aircraft we see in the video is an Airbus A340, one of the best airliners the company has ever produced.
Over 380 examples of the A340 have been built over the years, with 377 of those for delivery to airlines.
The first flight was in October 1991, and it was introduced into service with Lufthansa and Air France in 1993.
Despite production ending in 2012, over 200 A340 aircraft are still in service with airlines around the world.
Airbus succeeded it with the A350.
It’s clear from the footage, too, that not even the strongest winds can trouble the four-engine Airbus.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
