What happened
On 12 May 2005, a Boeing 757-204, registration G-BYAO, was departing Manchester Airport for a flight to Gran Canaria when the aircraft suffered a tailstrike. During the takeoff roll, the co-pilot was acting as the pilot flying. As the aircraft reached rotation speed, the commander observed an excessive rate of rotation. The aircraft's pitch increased rapidly, and the crew heard a loud noise and felt a physical bump, accompanied by visible smoke emanating from the rear of the aircraft.
The crew immediately initiated the abnormal procedure for a tailstrike, which included depressurizing the cabin. The aircraft returned to Manchester for an unevent and landing. Because the aircraft was significantly above its maximum landing weight, the crew utilized the full length of the runway to manage the load on the brakes. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the 234 passengers or 8 crew members on board.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) information, alongside an inspection of the aircraft's structure. The investigation established that the aircraft's pitch rate accelerated significantly during rotation, peaking at approximately 5.7 degrees per second, which far exceeded the manufacturer's recommended rate of 2.5 degrees per second. This rapid rotation was driven by an increase in the aft movement of the control column.
Physical inspections of the aircraft revealed damage to the tail scrape limiting device and the APU access doors. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was experiencing a varying headwind component, which caused the airspeed to fluctuate between 10 and 30 knots, resulting in a non-uniform acceleration during the takeoff roll.
Findings
- The tailstrike was caused by an excessive rate of rotation during the takeoff phase.
- The rotation rate increased rapidly due to the pilot pulling the control column back beyond the limits required for a controlled rotation.
- A variable headwind component contributed to a lift-off speed that was lower than intended, complicating the rotation dynamics.
- The co-pilot, who was relatively new to the line following recent training, was handling the flight controls.
- The operator's manual lacked specific guidance regarding takeoff procedures in gusty or strong crosswind conditions, which could have assisted the pilot in managing the rotation.