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Boeing 737-800 Tail Strike During Takeoff at Dortmund Airport

Flughafen Dortmund, DE

On November 29, 2002, a Boeing Company Boeing 737-800 was involved in an aviation accident near Flughafen Dortmund, DE. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Incorrect weight and balance calculations due to unaccounted missing spare tire weight, inaccurate catering weights, and failure to execute planned passenger re-seating instructions, resulting in an aft center of gravity that caused premature rotation and… This summary draws on records from the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU).

Sourcesthe German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-11Data APIEditorial standards

In November 2002, a Boeing 737-800 struck the runway with its tail during takeoff from Dortmund. The crew aborted the start due to weight and balance errors involving missing spare tire data and incorrect catering weights.

Incident Overview

On November 29, 2002, a Boeing 737-800 operated by a Turkish airline experienced a serious incident during takeoff from Dortmund Airport (EDLW). The aircraft was scheduled for a charter flight to Izmir and subsequently Ankara. During the initial roll on Runway 24, the nose gear lifted prematurely, causing the tail to strike the pavement. The pilot in command immediately reduced thrust and aborted the takeoff. No injuries were reported among the six crew members and 112 passengers, but the aircraft sustained minor damage.

Aircraft and Crew Details

The involved aircraft was a Boeing 737-86N with manufacturer serial number 32735. It had been certified in Turkey on April 20, 2002, and logged 2,387 flight hours at the time of the incident. The flight crew held valid Airline Transport Pilot Licenses (ATPL) and type ratings. The pilot in command had over 10,000 total flight hours, while the first officer had nearly 4,000. Both pilots were medically fit for duty.

Investigation Findings

The German Federal Aviation Office (BFU) investigation identified significant discrepancies in the aircraft's weight and balance calculations. The Load & Trim sheet contained several errors: 1. Missing Spare Tire: A standard spare tire weighing 150 kg was not on board, but its weight was included in the Dry Operating Weight (DOW). 2. Catering Weights: Actual catering weights differed from standard assumptions, requiring a center of gravity correction that was not applied. 3. Passenger Distribution: The ramp agent planned to move 10 passengers to the front cabin to correct the center of gravity, but this instruction was never communicated to the cabin crew or executed. Consequently, the actual passenger distribution remained in the rear sections.

These errors resulted in a center of gravity that was further aft than calculated. During takeoff, the aircraft rotated earlier than expected due to the aft CG, leading to the tail strike. The BFU concluded that the incident was caused by incorrect weight and balance data and a failure to implement necessary seating adjustments.

Probable cause

Incorrect weight and balance calculations due to unaccounted missing spare tire weight, inaccurate catering weights, and failure to execute planned passenger re-seating instructions, resulting in an aft center of gravity that caused premature rotation and tail strike.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Nov 2002 Boeing Company Boeing 737-800 accident near Flughafen Dortmund, DE?

In November 2002, a Boeing 737-800 struck the runway with its tail during takeoff from Dortmund. The crew aborted the start due to weight and balance errors involving missing spare tire data and incorrect catering weights.

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Nov 2002 Boeing Company Boeing 737-800 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Nov 2002 involved a Boeing Company Boeing 737-800, at Flughafen Dortmund, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Incorrect weight and balance calculations due to unaccounted missing spare tire weight, inaccurate catering weights, and failure to execute planned passenger re-seating instructions, resulting in an aft center of gravity that caused premature rotation and tail strike.

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