Incident Overview
On June 14, 2004, an Airbus A321-231 operated by Monarch Airways, registered as G-OZBE, experienced a tail strike while landing at Faro Airport in Portugal. The flight departed London Gatwick at 16:08 UTC with two crew members and 33 passengers on board. The first officer served as the pilot flying for the entire sector, which was part of their line training program.
Flight Operations and Approach
The aircraft conducted an ILS approach to Runway 28 under visual meteorological conditions. With the sun low on the horizon, the crew maintained a stabilized approach with full flaps deployed. The autopilot was disconnected prior to landing, while autothrust remained engaged. At approximately 50 feet above ground level, the descent rate was checked, and thrust levers were closed at 30 feet for the landing flare.
Touchdown and Aftermath
Following a smooth initial touchdown, the spoilers deployed, and the pitch attitude began to decrease. However, the nose reared up quickly due to a sidestick demand. The commander took control of the aircraft and pushed the stick forward to lower the nose. Despite these corrective actions, the tail struck the runway surface. The aircraft vacated the runway at the second-to-last turnoff.
Damage and Investigation Findings
Post-landing inspection revealed abrasion on the lower fuselage skin between Frame 63 and Frame 67. Engineering analysis indicated that while there was paint abrasion, no significant structural damage resulted from the vertical loads of the contact. The Galley/Lavatory drain mast also sustained minor burn damage. No injuries were reported among crew or passengers. The investigation noted that the first officer had previously received feedback regarding the need to improve landing technique during their training.