Casualties unknown

Unstable ILS Approach Leads to Tail Strike on L-1011 During Initial Operating Experience Flight (N720DA)

Atlanta, GA, US

On August 25, 1987, a Lockheed L-1011-385-1 (registration N720DA) operated by Delta Airlines,inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Atlanta, GA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An L-1011 executing a manual ILS approach to Runway 8L at Atlanta became unstable, resulting in three touchdowns and aft fuselage contact with the runway, causing substantial damage.

Accident Description

The aircraft was being flown manually during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Runway 8L at Atlanta. The approach became unstable around the middle marker. Approximately five seconds before touchdown, the vertical speed increased to about 1290 feet per minute. The IOE (initial operating experience) captain, occupying the left seat, was instructed by the company check airman to raise the nose. As the IOE captain initiated the flare, the check airman also applied nose-up control inputs. The aircraft made three touchdowns, and the aft fuselage contacted the runway, resulting in substantial damage.

Flight Crew Information

The IOE captain had completed his first-class physical examination five days prior to the accident and underwent bypass surgery 17 days after the accident. He reported that three to four years earlier, he experienced chest pains and shortness of breath, which had been diagnosed as a hiatal hernia. The same symptoms reappeared approximately one week before he began L-1011 ground school. The accident flight occurred on the second day of the captain's IOE in the L-1011.

Aircraft Damage

Substantial damage was sustained to the aft fuselage due to contact with the runway surface.

Additional Context

No further details regarding the aircraft, operator, or environmental conditions were provided in the source material.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31706. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.