Air Berlin pilot under investigation for 'lap of honour' fly past (Video)

An airberlin flight from Miami to Dusseldorf, with 200 passengers on board, made a dramatic fly-past over the terminal at its destination to mark the airline's final flight. Now, an investigation has been launched into whether the pilot endangered any lives.

The German Aviation Authority (LBA) has begun an investigation into the incident, which was captured on camera and shared extensively online.

German media said it was the pilot's unique way of saying "goodbye" to his passengers and the insolvent airline.

The pilot of the flight from Miami on Monday pulled up the aircraft above the runway in Dusseldorf and made a low pass over the airport before coming around and landing.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for airberlin said the Federal Aviation Office was investigating, but declined to provide further details or confirm reports that said the maneuver was an intentional "lap of honour".

Germany's aviation authority said while go-around maneuvres were a normal procedure in air traffic, it had asked Air Berlin for details of Monday's incident involving the A330 plane because it differed from ordinary go-arounds.

German daily Tagesspiegel reported that the Airbus aircraft was welcomed by a water salute in Duesseldorf, with the airport fire brigade ceremonially spraying the aircraft with plumes of water.