Summary
On 15 February 2015, an Air India Airbus A321-211, registration VT-PPD, operating flight AI-680 from Mangalore to Mumbai, experienced a tail strike during landing on runway 27 at Mumbai Airport. The aircraft bounced on initial touchdown and then made a hard landing, resulting in structural damage to the aft fuselage and exceeding design load limits on the main landing gear. There were no injuries to the 180 passengers and 7 crew members, and no fire occurred.
Flight History
The flight was the third sector of the day, following uneventful sectors from Delhi to Mumbai and Mumbai to Mangalore. For the Mangalore-Mumbai leg, the Pilot in Command (PIC) allowed the First Officer to act as pilot flying (PF), while the PIC served as pilot monitoring (PM). Both pilots held valid licenses and were qualified on the A321 type. The First Officer had been authorized by the company to perform supervised takeoffs and landings.
Approach control cleared the aircraft for an ILS approach to runway 27. Weather at the time was haze with 4000 meters visibility and headwind of 8 to 10 knots. At about 600 feet AGL, the First Officer disconnected the autopilot and flew manually. Approximately at 40 feet, the PIC advised reducing the rate of descent and flaring. The crew received a "RETARD" aural alert. According to statements, the First Officer moved the thrust levers from CLIMB to IDLE before flare. The aircraft touched down on the main landing gear but became airborne again.
During the bounce, the PIC took over control, brought the thrust levers to IDLE, and applied full positive pitch. The aircraft then made a hard landing on the runway. Directional control was maintained, and the crew taxied to the bay. The PIC apologized to passengers for the hard landing. Post-flight walk-around revealed severe damage to the aft fuselage, confirming a tail strike. The crew did not inform ATC of the event.
Aircraft Damage
Damage was limited to the aft belly. Specific damage included:
- Skin and internal structure damage at fuselage stations 17 and 18 due to tail strike contact with the runway.
- Frames 59 to 68 damaged; frame 61 deformed and flattened at bottom; frame 62 heavily distorted and cracked; crack on upper flange of frame 63.
- A through-and-through hole between stringer 43RH and 44RH.
- Cargo door support beam damaged.
- Main landing gear shock absorbers, sliding tubes, wheels, and tires exceeded design load limits.
Personnel Information
The PIC was 41 years old, held an ATPL, and had approximately 8,000 total flying hours with 6,000 hours on type. The First Officer was 40 years old, held a CPL, and had around 2,500 total flying hours with 1,800 hours on type. Both had current medical certificates and adequate rest. Neither had been involved in previous serious incidents or accidents.