Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 21 March 2020
Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-223 (WL)
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Registration Number: N193AN
Location: Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport, NV (LAS) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 127
Component Affected: Aircraft Fuselage (specifically the rear fuselage)Aircraft Fuselage (specifically the rear fuselage)
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
An American Airlines Boeing 757 experienced a tailstrike during landing at McCarran International Airport (KLAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. No injuries occurred, and the aircraft sustained significant damage to the rear fuselage. The flight crew reported favorable wind conditions and visibility, but the pilot adjusted the approach to compensate for a slight tailwind. The aircraft’s pitch attitude increased significantly during touchdown, exacerbated by the deployment of ground spoilers. The incident was attributed to excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.An American Airlines Boeing 757 experienced a tailstrike during landing at McCarran International Airport (KLAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. No injuries occurred, and the aircraft sustained significant damage to the rear fuselage. The flight crew reported favorable wind conditions and visibility, but the pilot adjusted the approach to compensate for a slight tailwind. The aircraft’s pitch attitude increased significantly during touchdown, exacerbated by the deployment of ground spoilers. The incident was attributed to excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.

Description

American Airlines flight 2341, a Boeing 757, N193AN, experienced a tailstrike during landing on runway 26L at the McCarran International Airport (KLAS), Las Vegas, Nevada. There were no injuries to the 127 passengers and crew, and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the flight crew, the flight was cleared for a visual approach. The flight crew reported that the winds were from 040 degrees at 8 knots (slight tailwind), visibility greater than ten miles, and a thin layer of broken clouds at 17,000 feet. The captain conducted an approach briefing and the first officer conducted a Landing Distance Assessment to account for the slight tailwind. The first officer reported the approach was normal and stabilized, and they encountered a slight downdraft in the flare. The captain disconnected the autopilot at about 400 feet above the ground and the autothrottle at 200 feet. Flight data recorder data indicated that the pitch attitude was about 7 degrees at touchdown but, as the ground spoilers deployed, pitch attitude increased to 10.9 degrees. There was a 3 to 5 knot crosswind at touchdown. Post-flight inspection of the airplane indicated the underside of the rear fuselage struck the runway, resulting in damage to the skin, frames, and aft pressure bulkhead. Probable Cause: The excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.

Primary Cause

Excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.Excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.

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