Background
On 22 July 2008, a Boeing 727-227 operated by Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter Ltd. (registration C-GLKF, serial number 21118) was conducting cargo flight KFA281 from Moncton, New Brunswick, to Hamilton, Ontario. The aircraft carried three crew members. The flight crew consisted of a captain with 9500 total hours (including 3500 as captain on the Boeing 727), a first officer with 2900 total hours (75 hours on the Boeing 727), and a second officer with 1600 total hours (600 hours on the Boeing 727). The first officer was the pilot flying. This was the first time this crew had operated together.
Occurrence
Approaching Hamilton Airport, the crew prepared for an approach to Runway 30 but were later vectored for Runway 06 due to wind changes and thunderstorm activity. The reported weather at 2200 included thunderstorms, heavy rain, visibility 1.5 statute miles, and wind from 270° at 10 knots gusting to 16 knots. A Cessna Caravan pilot reported smooth conditions and no windshear on approach.
At 2216 eastern daylight time, the aircraft touched down hard approximately 1200 feet past the threshold, with a vertical acceleration of 1.9 g, then bounced about eight feet vertically before a second firm touchdown at 2.3 g. The captain initiated a go-around after the second touchdown. During rotation, the tailskid contacted the runway, and the thrust reverser actuator fairing and number 2 engine tailpipe struck the ground off the departure end. The aircraft climbed away and returned for a normal landing on Runway 12. There were no injuries; the aircraft sustained minor damage.
Findings
The go-around was initiated with the spoilers deployed, creating added drag that prevented a safe lift-off and caused the tail and number 2 engine to strike the ground. The crew had not received training for bounced landing recovery or go-around after touchdown, and therefore did not retract the spoilers. The manufacturer's manual provides guidance on bounced landing response, but simulator training did not include this scenario.
Aftermath
Boeing announced plans to publish an article in 2009 reminding crews to stow spoilers when rejecting a landing or executing a go-around after touchdown. Kelowna Flightcraft issued a memorandum to crews on 14 August 2008 discussing pilot flying duties and communication, and incorporated the incident into crew resource management training starting November 2008. The cockpit voice recorder recording was overwritten before it could be preserved, hampering the investigation.