Incident Overview
On March 5, 2013, an Airbus A330-300 experienced a tailstrike while taking off from runway 32R at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The aircraft was operating a scheduled flight to Munich with 182 passengers and 15 crew members on board. No injuries were reported among the occupants or third parties, although the aircraft sustained severe damage.
Operational Sequence
The aircraft departed gate B16/17 at 21:19 local time and proceeded to the runway after de-icing procedures. The captain noted that the runway surface was cleared of snow and ice, with only minor residues remaining. The takeoff was executed by the copilot. During the rotation phase at 21:53, the rear fuselage made contact with the runway surface.
Damage Assessment
Post-flight inspection revealed extensive damage to the underside of the tail cone, spanning from frame 69 to frame 76, a length of approximately 4.5 meters. The damage included abrasion marks, scratches, paint removal, and dents. Internally, structural components such as stringers and cross-members were deformed, and some fasteners between the inner structure and outer skin were damaged or detached.
Investigation and Outcome
The German Federal Aviation Office (BFU) conducted the investigation under delegation from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The flight data recorder was analyzed, but the cockpit voice recorder had overwritten the relevant segment due to flight duration. Following a provisional repair of the fuselage, the aircraft completed its flight to Munich and landed without further issues.