On November 11, 1998, a Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11 (registration N801DE) was involved in an aviation accident near Portland, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Inadvertent entry of an incorrect weight figure into the Flight Management System (FMS) computer. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft experienced a tail strike after the flight crew entered an incorrect weight into the FMS, causing a slower approach speed and excessive pitch attitude.
Incident Description
During an approach, the flight crew inadvertently entered an incorrect weight figure into the Flight Management System (FMS) computer. This error resulted in the aircraft being flown at an airspeed of 136 knots instead of the correct 151 knots. As a consequence, the aircraft proceeded along the flight path with a pitch attitude of approximately eight degrees, compared to the three or four degrees that would have been observed at the correct airspeed.
Impact on Landing
The reduced airspeed and excessive pitch attitude diminished tail clearance during the flare, to the point where the airframe made contact with the runway surface. The incident concluded with the tail of the aircraft striking the runway.
Probable cause
Inadvertent entry of an incorrect weight figure into the Flight Management System (FMS) computer.
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