Incident Summary
During a landing approach, an Airbus A300 experienced a tail strike following a bounced landing. The aircraft was being operated by a captain trainee receiving initial operating experience, with a check airman occupying the right seat as pilot-in-command. The captain trainee closed the throttles as the airplane neared the runway. The airplane touched down and bounced into the air, then touched down again approximately 4 seconds later. Just prior to each touchdown, the captain trainee pulled back on the control yoke. The airplane experienced a tail strike upon the second touchdown.
Operational Details
Digital flight data recorder (DFDR) data revealed that the initial touchdown occurred at a vertical acceleration of 1.3 Gs, and the second touchdown at 2.26 Gs. Interviews indicated the approach speed was 132 knots plus an additional 5 knots for crosswind conditions. DFDR data recorded the initial touchdown at 129 knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS) and the second touchdown at 124 KCAS.