Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 21 December 1989
Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-223
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Registration Number: N611AM
Location: Santa Ana-Orange County Airport, CA (SNA) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 111
Component Affected: Aircraft TailAircraft Tail
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A Boeing B767 aircraft experienced a tail strike during a visual night landing at Orange County Airport. The pilot’s pitch angle at touchdown was 11.074 degrees, exceeding the maximum allowed of 10.3 degrees. The pilot’s overrotation during the flare resulted in the tail colliding with the runway. The captain’s failure to take corrective action contributed to the accident.A Boeing B767 aircraft experienced a tail strike during a visual night landing at Orange County Airport. The pilot’s pitch angle at touchdown was 11.074 degrees, exceeding the maximum allowed of 10.3 degrees. The pilot’s overrotation during the flare resulted in the tail colliding with the runway. The captain’s failure to take corrective action contributed to the accident.
Description
The tail struck the runway during a visual night landing. The FDR indicated a pitch attitude of 11.074 deg for 2 seconds at touchdown. Boeing stated that the maximum pitch at touchdown should not exceed 10.3 deg. This was the pilot’s first night flight into Orange County Airport in this aircraft type. As of February 1990, there have been 27 tail strikes of B767 and 51 tail strikes of B757 aircraft during take-off or landing. The copilot’s overrotation of the aircraft during the flare which allowed the tail to collide with the runway. The failure of the captain to take appropriate corrective action was a factor in the accident.
Primary Cause
Pilot error (pitch angle exceeding maximum limit) and pilot training lapse.Pilot error (pitch angle exceeding maximum limit) and pilot training lapse.Share on:
