Incident Overview
At 13:36 UTC on 27 March 2013, a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 (registration EI-DLE) was performing a scheduled passenger flight from Alicante Airport to Baden-Baden. During the takeoff rotation on runway 28, the tail section of the aircraft made contact with the runway surface. Both the captain and first officer felt an unusual sensation and suspected a tailstrike, but could not immediately confirm it. After the aircraft became airborne, the purser informed the captain that flight attendants in the rear had heard a strange noise at the end of the takeoff run. After consulting with the cabin crew, the captain decided to level off at Flight Level 220 and return to Alicante. The crew advised air traffic control of their intention and requested a runway inspection for debris. Another aircraft subsequently used the runway without incident. While descending through 13,600 feet, the crew depressurized the cabin as per the Quick Reference Handbook, which triggered the cabin altitude alert. The pilots used oxygen masks until a safe altitude was reached. The aircraft landed safely back at Alicante.
Crew and Aircraft
The flight crew consisted of a 49-year-old captain with 16,500 total flight hours (8,100 on type) and a 24-year-old first officer with 960 total flight hours (800 on type). Both held valid medical certificates and were within duty time limits. The captain had completed tailstrike avoidance training in January 2012. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 with serial number 33587, had accumulated 23,744 flight hours. Its airworthiness review certificate was valid until 8 February 2014, and a maintenance inspection had been performed on 8 March 2013. The aircraft was powered by two CFM56-7B engines.
Technical Details
The Boeing 737 Flight Crew Training Manual indicates that a tailstrike can occur when the pitch angle reaches approximately 11 degrees with the struts fully extended. The rotation rate should be between 2 and 3 degrees per second to achieve the initial take-off attitude of about 8 degrees in 3 to 4 seconds. Factors listed in the manual as potential triggers for tailstrikes include incorrect horizontal stabilizer trim, rotating at an improper speed, trimming during rotation, excessive rotation rate, and improper use of the flight director. The aircraft is equipped with a tail skid that contacts the runway during a tailstrike; its frangible honeycomb cartridge may be crushed on impact, and a visual indicator shows whether replacement is needed.
Aftermath
Post-flight inspection revealed marks on the aft fuselage confirming contact with the runway. The damage was minor, and the aircraft was cleared for dispatch without repair. No further incidents occurred during the return flight.