Boeing 737-800 experiences heavy touchdown and fuselage damage at Jakarta

Casualties unknown • Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, ID

A Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737-800 sustained minor damage to its aft fuselage after a bouncing touchdown at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

What happened

On 30 March 2023, a Boeing 737-80 and registered PK-GMC, operated by PT Garuda Indonesia, was completing a scheduled flight from Bangkok to Jakarta. The flight, GIA867, carried 76 passengers and a crew of eight. The flight proceeded normally until the approach phase at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, where air traffic controllers vectored the aircraft to maintain separation from other traffic.

During the final approach, at an altitude of approximately 700 feet, the autopilot and autothrottle systems disengaged, requiring the crew to transition to manual flight. As the aircraft descended to 300 feet, the pilot in command noted the N1 engine power was at 53% and subsequently increased the throttle to 57%.

As the aircraft crossed the runway threshold, the crew observed that the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) altitude callouts were occurring at an accelerated rate. During the flare, the pilot in command assisted in holding the control column. The aircraft subsequently experienced a bouncing touchdown. While the pilot managed to land the aircraft safely, the second impact was noted to be significantly harder than the first.

The investigation

The KNKT investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the impact and the resulting damage. Post-flight inspections by an engineer revealed that the aircraft had sustained minor structural damage. Specifically, scratches were identified on the lower surface of the aft fuselage skin, and the tailskid damper was found to be deflected. Additionally, a 13-meter scratch mark was discovered on the runway surface near the centerline.

Findings

  • The aircraft maintained a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Certificate of Registration.
  • The flight crew held all necessary valid licenses and medical certificates.
  • There were no reported technical malfunctions or system abnormalities prior to the event.
  • The aircraft experienced bouncing during the touchdown phase.
  • The primary damage consisted of scratches to the aft fuselage skin and a deflected tailskid damper.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a bouncing touchdown on the runway, resulting in a hard second impact that caused minor damage to the aft fuselage and tailskid damper.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2023-03-30 Boeing 737-800 accident near Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, ID?

A Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737-800 sustained minor damage to its aft fuselage after a bouncing touchdown at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2023-03-30 involved a Boeing 737-800, registration PK-GMC, operated by Garuda Indonesia, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, ID.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced a bouncing touchdown on the runway, resulting in a hard second impact that caused minor damage to the aft fuselage and tailskid damper.

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