Casualties unknown

1993-08-02: Boeing 757-222 (N508UA) — United Airlines — Denver, CO

Denver, CO, US

On August 2, 1993, a Boeing 757-222 (registration N508UA) operated by United Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Denver, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's late initiation of the landing flare, which caused a firm touchdown and subsequent tail strike. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N508UA
Aircraft registered N508UA. Photo: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A commercial flight experienced a tail strike after a late flare and firm touchdown during a visual approach to runway 26R, resulting in minor structural damage.

What happened

The first officer was operating the aircraft while conducting a visual approach to runway 26R. The flight crew maintained a stable approach profile from an altitude of 500 feet above the ground. However, the pilot initiated the landing flare later than optimal, causing the aircraft to touch down with excessive vertical speed.

Upon initial contact with the pavement, the airplane bounced slightly and pitched into a nose-high attitude. As the aircraft descended for a second touchdown, the rear fuselage made contact with the runway surface, resulting in a tail strike.

Probable cause

The pilot's late initiation of the landing flare, which caused a firm touchdown and subsequent tail strike.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13132. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.