Tail strike and hard landing during approach to Manizales

Casualties unknown • Manizales, CO

An ATR 72-212A experienced a tail strike and hard landing while landing at La Nubia Airport, resulting in significant structural damage to the aircraft.

What happened

On September 7, 2019, an ATR 72-212A, registration HK5041, operated by Regional Express Américas S.A.S., was performing a scheduled passenger flight from Bogotá (SKBO) to Manizales (SKMZ). During the landing phase on runway 10 at La Nubia Airport, the aircraft experienced an abnormal contact with the runway.

The sequence of events began at approximately 100 feet AGL, when the crew induced a nose-down pitch and reduced engine power to 3%. This maneuver led to a gradual loss of altitude and airspeed, resulting in a hard landing characterized by two bounces on the runway. Following the impact, the aircraft's pitch increased above 9.4 degrees, causing the lower section of the tail to strike the runway (tail strike). The pilot maintained control of the aircraft, decelerated, and taxied the plane to the apron. While there were no fatalities, one cabin crew member sustained a minor injury when their seat detached from its mounting due to the impact forces.

The investigation

The GRIAA investigation focused on the flight data, cockpit voice recorder, and the aircraft's structural condition. Investigators examined the flight profiles, engine torque settings, and environmental factors at the time of the accident. The analysis included a review of the crew's manual inputs during the final stages of the approach and the impact of the aerodrome's specific operational characteristics, such as its high density altitude and runway configuration.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was a tail strike caused by an excessive nose-up pitch following a period of unstable descent.
  • The crew induced a nose-down pitch and significant power reduction at 100 feet AGL, which led to the loss of lift and the subsequent hard landing.
  • Contributing factors included tailwind conditions and the high density altitude of the Manizales aerodrome, both of which increased the aircraft's ground speed during touchdown.
  • The impact caused significant structural damage to the fuselage, including deformed and fractured frames in the aft section.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by a tail strike resulting from a sequence of improper flight path management, where the crew's decision to pitch down and reduce power at low altitude led to a hard landing and a subsequent high-pitch recovery that struck the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-09-07 ATR-72-212A accident near Manizales, CO?

An ATR 72-212A experienced a tail strike and hard landing while landing at La Nubia Airport, resulting in significant structural damage to the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-09-07 involved a ATR-72-212A, registration HK5041, at Manizales, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by a tail strike resulting from a sequence of improper flight path management, where the crew's decision to pitch down and reduce power at low altitude led to a hard landing and a subsequent high-pitch recovery that struck the runway.

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