What happened
On December 1, 2022, at 19:38 local time, an Airbus A321-211 was performing a passenger transport flight departing from runway 17R at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCEL) in Santiago, Chile. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft's tail cone made contact with the runway surface. Following the tail strike, the flight crew initiated a return to the airport, landing the aircraft safely without further incident. There were no injuries reported among the 6 crew members or the 133 passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation analyzed data retrieved from the Quick Access Recorder (QAR), which was subsequently reviewed by the operator and the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA). Flight data revealed that the impact occurred prior to reaching rotation speed (Vr). The data also showed an inadvertent increase in the takeoff angle, which rose from +9.9 degrees to +13.7 degrees during the event.
Physical inspections of the aircraft at the operator's maintenance facility confirmed wear and damage to the lower fuselage skin of the tail cone, specifically near the empennage, consistent with runway contact. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's weight and balance configuration, as well as passenger and baggage loading procedures prior to departure.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with a total weight of 71.5 tons, well below its maximum takeoff weight of 89 tons.
- A significant change in the aircraft's center of gravity occurred due to passenger and baggage handling. After 79 passengers and their luggage were removed from the forward hold, a "tip up" effect was noted.
- To compensate for this imbalance, flight operations personnel relocated 25 passengers to the forward section of the cabin.
- The redistribution of passengers and the specific loading configuration contributed to an unstable center of gravity during the takeoff phase.
- The flight data indicated an unintended pitch-up motion during the rotation sequence, leading to the tail strike.