What happened
On 22 April 2025, an Air India Express Boeing 737-800, registration VT-AXZ, was performing a scheduled passenger flight from Calicut, India, to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. The flight was carrying 174 people, including 170 passengers and four crew members.
While on final approach to runway 34, the aircraft was flying with excessive energy, maintaining an airspeed 7 knots above the reference speed and a descent rate that increased to 1,200 feet per minute below 100 feet altitude. Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a firm initial contact with a vertical load of 1.7G. This impact caused the aircraft to bounce, remaining airborne for approximately 1.5 seconds. During the subsequent second touchdown, the aircraft experienced a much harder impact of 2.8G. The high pitch angle of 9.5 degrees during this second contact resulted in a tail strike.
The investigation
The UAE Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) examined flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data, alongside air traffic control transcripts. The investigation focused on the aircraft's descent profile, the flight crew's control inputs, and the physical damage to the airframe. Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history and the meteorological conditions at the time of the incident, which were found to be stable and not contributing to the event.
Findings
Investigators determined that the primary cause of the incident was a bounce following an initial firm touchdown, driven by excessive airspeed and a high rate of descent that the crew could not effectively manage. This was compounded by improper recovery techniques during the bounce, leading to a severe second touchdown.
A significant contributing factor was a breakdown in crew resource management (CRM). Specifically, the commander assumed control of the aircraft at a low altitude without performing the standard pilot flying/pilot monitoring (PF/PM) transfer of control callouts, which hindered coordinated flight path management.
Post-flight inspections confirmed minor damage to the lower rear fuselage, including a 1.5-inch skin crack and a pinhole puncture. Notably, the aircraft's tail skid assembly did not show marks of contact, suggesting the impact occurred just above the protective bumper.
Safety action
The investigation issued safety recommendations to the operator, Air India Express, to reinforce adherence to stabilized approach criteria and energy management standards. Additionally, the report recommended strengthening CRM training to ensure that all transfers of control are accompanied by the required standard callouts.