I was a passenger on IB227 Malaga to Madrid the night of July 30th, 2008. The aircraft departed Malaga with no problems with take off. The aircraft was McDonnell Douglas and was half full. It was a beautiful still summers night with what seemed like perfect flying conditions. As we approached Madrid Barajas airport I heard the landing gear go down and then the Captain in a pretty nervous voice announced that he was encountering technical problems (something to do with lights on/ the panel indicating a problem) and that he was checking it out. He aborted our landing in a pretty scary fashion. We then flew out over what seemed to me (in the dark but noting landmarks in the city below) the North West of the city. It was very dark below with little lights, perhaps we were skirting the city. He then announced after what seems like an eternity in these moments that ´dont worry you are all safe´... as one always hopes when flying. He then eventually attempted to land again, this time successfully but I did notice the ambulances/police that drove out to meet the craft. What seriously concerns me about this incident is a) What happened? b) Why are such incidents not accounted for, have searched online and there is nothing c) Iberia had onboard seasoned flyers (I fly every 10 days) and this in my books was super abnormal especially noting the Captains wobbly voice d) Why if these MD aircraft have such a serious history of take off/landing tech issues are they not all recalled? If anyone else was on this flight I would appreciate you commenting. Unless we speak out these incidents that sadly in time become major faults will result in the horrific criminal event of yesterdays Spanairs disastor in Barajas. I will be taking this up with Iberia/Press and think the public should have access to all incidents of this calibre.