Incident Overview
A Douglas DC9 aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 8L at an airport. At the same time, all passenger aircraft departing from the passenger terminal on Runway 8R were required to cross the approach end of Runway 8L. A heavy Boeing 747 crossed the approach end of Runway 8L while en route to Runway 8R, approximately 1 minute and 10 seconds prior to the touchdown of the DC9.
Crew Report
The DC9 flight crew reported that the approach was stabilized at Vref plus 10 knots, with a descent rate of 600 feet per minute. At 50 feet above ground level over the approach end of the runway, the airspeed suddenly decreased to Vref and a high sink rate developed.
Pilot Actions and Aircraft Response
The pilot flying was able to arrest the descent rate by applying power and increasing pitch attitude. However, the pitch attitude exceeded the 10.4-degree pitch attitude required to strike the tail skid. As a result, the tail skid broke off and caused damage to some internal members in the tail area.
Damage
The tail skid separated from the aircraft, and internal components in the tail section were damaged.