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AirAsia pilot pulls off advanced sideways landing in high winds

The pilot used a ‘crabbing’ manoeuvre to land the plane safely despite strong winds at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport.

Published: 9:11pm, 13 May 2026

A video showing an AirAsia pilot landing their plane amid powerful gusts at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport has gone viral. The footage, captured on May 4, 2026, shows the pilot turning the plane sideways to counteract the strong winds. Pilots are trained to perform this advanced manoeuvre, known as ‘crabbing’.

AirAsia pilot pulls off advanced sideways landing in high winds

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The pilot used a ‘crabbing’ manoeuvre to land the plane safely despite strong winds at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport.

The pilot used a ‘crabbing’ manoeuvre to land the plane safely despite strong winds at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport.