Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department is investigating an incident by a Shenzhen Airlines flight, which narrowly missed the Big Buddha on Lantau Island as it attempted to land in Hong Kong International Airport on June 26.
The A320, Flight ZH9041, was on approach to the airport from Jinjiang in Fujian province, when it aborted landing and asked to initiate a "go around". The pilot was immediately told to stop climbing as another aircraft was taking off from the south runway at the Hong Kong airport at the same time. To avoid the aircraft, Flight ZH9041 turned to its right and passed over Lantau Island near the Buddha statue at about 3,000 feet (914m). The aircraft then climbed to 6,000 feet, circled round back to the airport, and landed safely about 20 minutes after going around.
It is not known why the pilot decided to abort the first landing.