What happened
On 17 April 2018, a DHC-8-402 Dash 8, registration G-JECX, was performing a commercial passenger flight from Manchester to Newquay. The flight was the third sector of a four-sector day. During the second approach to Runway 12, the aircraft experienced a significant increase in its rate of descent at approximately 30 ft above the runway.
As the aircraft began to sink rapidly, the pilot flying responded by increasing both engine power and the aircraft's pitch attitude. This maneuver caused the tail of the aircraft to strike the runway surface before the main landing gear made contact. Following the impact, the aircraft bounced, and the commander took control of the aircraft. Despite the tail strike, the commander elected to continue the landing to avoid potential further damage. There were no fatalities and only one minor injury reported among the crew and 55 passengers.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the aircraft' and reviewed data from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). The investigation established that at approximately 50 ft, the co-pilot had reduced power to flight idle to manage airspeed, a change that neither pilot had fully registered. This reduction in power, likely coupled with a decrease in headwind, led to the rapid descent.
Physical examination of the aircraft revealed damage to several skin panels, frames, stringers, and the aft pressure bulkhead. The investigation also reviewed the manufacturer's guidance, which advises that descent rate control below 200 ft should be managed through power lever adjustments rather than pitch changes.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a high sink rate due to a reduction in power to flight idle at 50 ft, which the crew was unaware of.
- The pilot flying reacted to the sink rate by increasing pitch attitude instead of solely increasing power.
- The increase in pitch to 10 degrees directly caused the tail strike.
- The time elapsed between the pitch increasing beyond 5 degrees and the tail strike was less than one second, leaving insufficient time for corrective action.