What happened
On 6 November 2021, an Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350-900, registration ET-AYB, was conducting a scheduled international flight from Addis Ababa to O.R. Tambo International Airport. While on final approach for Runway 03R, the flight crew was managing a significant crosswind. As the aircraft reached approximately 30 feet above the ground, the pilot flying initiated a flare and reduced thrust. However, the aircraft failed to touch down in the intended zone, instead floating above the runway surface.
Believing the aircraft had encountered wind shear, the pilot decided to execute a go-around. During the initial climb phase of this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a sudden rightward over-bank. This movement caused the right-side wingtip and winglet to strike the runway surface near taxiway Tango. Following instructions from air traffic control, the crew climbed to 8,000 feet and subsequently landed the aircraft safely on Runway 03L. A post-flight inspection revealed minor damage to the right wingtip, winglet, and outer aileron. No injuries were reported among the 80 people on board.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the flight data, meteorological conditions, and cockpit actions. Investigators analyzed the wind conditions at the time of the incident, which included a left crosswind component that decreased near the ground. The inquiry also reviewed the aircraft's systems, noting that while the pilot reported encountering wind shear, the onboard predictive wind shear and turbulence detection systems showed no evidence of such a condition. The investigation also looked into the pilot's manual inputs during the transition from a crabbed approach to the go-around maneuver.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot applying excessive right rudder input while attempting to align the aircraft with the runway centerline, which triggered a significant sideslip and a right-side roll departure.
- The aircraft's right-wing tip and winglet made contact with the runway despite the pilot's attempts to correct the bank with left sidestick input.
- An early flare initiation caused the aircraft to float, resulting in the missed touchdown zone.
- A left crosswind component was present and decreased in intensity as the aircraft approached the ground.
- There was no recorded evidence of wind shear, contradicting the pilot's perception of the atmospheric conditions.