What happened
On 30 October 2001, a Boeing 727-2P1, registration VP-CZY, was conducting a private flight arriving from Istanbul, Turkey. While approaching Runway 26 at London Luton Airport, the aircraft encountered light turbulence and variable winds. The local ATIS had reported windshear on final approach, prompting the crew to increase their approach speed by 12 knots above the calculated Vref.
As the aircraft descended toward the runway, the pilot noted a rapid sink rate at approximately 20 feet above the surface. In an attempt to correct this, the pilot applied a significant nose-up pitch. This maneuver resulted in a firm touchdown on the main wheels, followed by a bounce. During the second contact with the runway, the aircraft's tail skid struck the ground.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path and the physical damage sustained during the event. Post-flight inspections of VP-CZY revealed that the tail skid plate had been scraped away and the skid itself was depressed by approximately 3 inches. Additionally, the No 3 VHF antenna was partially destroyed, with two-thirds of the aerial broken off and the surrounding aircraft skin buckled. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the commander held an Airline Transport Pilots Licence, they had only 92 hours of experience on this specific aircraft type.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a rapid descent rate just before touchdown.
- The pilot's attempt to cushion the subsequent bounce led to the tail strike.
- Environmental factors, including reported windshear and the uphill gradient of the runway, played a role in the landing dynamics.
- The pilot's limited recent experience on the aircraft type was identified as a contributing factor.