Incident Overview
On January 3, 2014, at approximately 1930 Pacific Standard Time, Southwest Airlines Flight 2516, a Boeing 737-800 (registration N8327A), sustained a tail strike during landing at McCarran International Airport (KLAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The flight originated from Orlando International Airport (KMCO) in Orlando, Florida, and was operating as a regularly scheduled passenger service. There were 180 passengers and crew on board; no injuries were reported. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Flight Crew Observations
The accident flight was the first and only scheduled flight of the day for both the captain and the first officer. The captain was the pilot flying, and the first officer was the pilot monitoring. Both pilots reported that takeoff through the initial descent was uneventful. The aircraft was configured for a flaps 30 landing. During the Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 25L, the captain used the Heads-up Guidance System (HGS) in IMC mode.
During the descent below 100 feet, the first officer noted that the runway environment was dark and sensed the runway was "coming close fast." He observed a slightly increased descent rate but before he could make a callout, the captain had begun corrective action. The captain stated that he was hand-flying the aircraft (autopilot and autothrottles were off) and used the localizer, glideslope, and flare cues from the HGS. At approximately 30 feet, he transitioned from the HGS to the runway environment, describing it as "pitch black." He then noticed the runway edge lights and what appeared to be an increased sink rate.
Both pilots indicated that the airplane touched down firm, then bounced, and the second touchdown was harder than the first. Neither pilot was aware that the tail had struck the runway. The captain did not recall seeing a tail strike warning indication from the HGS.
Post-Flight Damage
Post-flight inspection revealed that the tail strike indicator was compressed. Deep scrapes and wear damage were found on the lower aft fuselage skin. Further investigation identified multiple fractured frames, as well as buckled stringers, shear ties, and straps.